Spain 1-0 Paraguay
What a great game. It may have been decided by that man Villa again, but the real talking point will be those three penalties that were taken and missed, taken and scored, retaken and missed and finally not given in five crazy second half minutes. First we had Gerard Pique's impression of an all in wrestler as he hauled down Cardozo - again with the player falling away in the opposite direction, just to make sure that the ref saw the incident. Up stepped Cardozo, fresh from his scoring of the penalty which saw Paraguay through against Japan last weekend, but this time he was facing Iker Casillas who sprang away to his left to save the kick. Then the ball went up to the other end of the pitch and this time there's a little more debate about the award as Villa goes down rather feebly under the challenge from Antolin Alcaraz. But the man in yellow is the man who matters, so up steps Xabi Alonso to smash the ball home from 12 yards. But no, that man in yellow can't be done with it and insists that the penalty be taken again. This time, Alonso tries to fool the 'keeper by going in the opposite direction, but this second penalty is saved and in the ensuing melee, Cesc Fabregas is fouled by 'keeper Villar but only a corner is given.
No matter mind, as Spain are so good at keeping the ball, knocking it around just waiting for that opportunity to pounce. And so with less than ten minutes left, their patience is rewarded. Once again it is Iniesta who breaks from midfield to feed Pedro whose shot hits the left up right and rebounds to Villa who curls the ball in off the right hand post and the left hand post. Another opportunistic finish of complete sublimity from the new Barcelona man. Now the game is changed. Paraguay who had the ball in the back of the net themselves in the first half are required to come and chase the game - otherwise they're going home. Spain though, are so well drilled in their sweet passing game, so there is no chance. The fiesta rolls on to Durban next Wednesday evening and I cannot wait.
