Paraguay 2 Slovakia 0

Group F Mangaung/Bloemfontein Sunday 20 June 13.30 SA Time

One corner each in the first half, one goal to Paraguay, scored by Vera on 27’.Paraguay pressed from early on, Santa Cruz testing Mucha after 3’ and from then on the first half belonged to Paraguay.

Villar watched on as his counterpart in the Slovakian goal, Mucha, had to work hard, denying Riveros on 19’, Santa Cruz again on 37’ and 39’ but he was powerless to stop Vera’s shot after a fine pass by Lucas split the Slovakian defence on 27’.

Slovakia tried to press forward in the second half but the real danger was provided by Paraguay. 72’, Vera. 77’, Torres went near, until on 86’, 2-0, a powerful shot by Riveros which left Mucha without any chance from the edge of the area in front of goal. Villar finally had to intervene, making a great save from Vittek on 90’ + 2’.

Line-ups

Paraguay: Villar, Morel, Bonet, Santa Cruz, Vera (Barreto), Da Silva, Caceres, Riveros, Valdez (Torres), Lucas Barrios (Cardozo), Alcaraz

Slovakia: Mucha, Pelaril, Skrtel, Strba, Weiss, Kozak, Sestak (Holosko), Vittek, Durica, Hamsik, Salata (Stoch)