Villa saves Spain after penalty drama
David Villa enhanced his reputation as the World Cup's outstanding striker with a late goal to give a below-par Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and book a semi-final clash with Germany, in what will be a repeat of the Euro 2008 final.
The 28-year-old struck his fifth goal of the finals to send the perennial underachievers into the last four of the World Cup for the first time.
It was tough on Paraguay who had matched the European champions for much of the game - and though this has been a World Cup of shocks, the needle would have gone off the Richter scale if the South Americans had triumphed.
Spain now face Germany in the semi-finals - not since 1950, where they were part of a four-team final group, have they had such an opportunity to reach the final itself.
Both sides contrived to miss penalties before Villa came up trumps after Andres Iniesta had carved out an opening for Pedro, who hit the post with his new Barcelona team-mate producing the perfect follow up.
Until then, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, who made no fewer than six changes from the side that scraped past Japan on penalties, had got his tactics just right. Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque kept faith with the same starting line-up for the third game in a row but familiarity bred contempt for the first hour.
Paraguay could have gone ahead in the very first minute had they taken advantage of an excellent opening. The Spanish defence was split open by Oscar Cardozo who found Jonathan Santana on the edge of the box but his shot was tame and Iker Casillas was not troubled.
Cristian Riveros headed over as Paraguay continued their refusal to be overawed while Xavi, dogged by Cristian Riveros snapping at his heels, had a poor first half.
Spain failed to bring a single save out of Justo Villar in the first 45 minutes - Xavi's spin and volley that dipped just too late their one highlight, while Fernando Torres looked woeful.
After Joan Capdevila's free-kick was blocked, a break by Paraguay saw a stunning cross by Claudio Morel that was just missed by Santana.
Villa, who had looked the liveliest of the off-colour Spaniards, dragged a chance wide before Paraguay were controversially denied the lead.
Nelson Valdez brought down the ball and finished expertly but was flagged offside - replays showed he was just on - and he put his next chance high and wide after turning Carles Puyol inside and out at pace.
After 10 minutes of the second half del Bosque had seen enough and he sent on Cesc Fabregas for Torres and suddenly a drab game exploded into life.
Paraguay were awarded a penalty after Gerard Pique hauled down Cardozo. The Benfica forward dusted himself down and stepped up but Casillas saved low to his left.
Almost immediately referee Carlos Batres from Guatemala awarded a spot-kick at the other end after Villa was felled by Antolin Alcaraz. Xabi Alonso put it away only to be made to re-take it due to encroachment and this time Villar came up trumps - and he then got away with clipping Fabregas who reached the loose ball first.
Iniesta, who had been much subdued, suddenly woke up and brought a terrific save out of Villar with a curling effort, then lofted another effort high over the bar. Fabregas' hustling saw Xavi presented with a shooting chance and he hit it almost too well as it whistled past the post.
With seven minutes left Spain finally produced a goal worthy of their lofty reputation when Iniesta went on a fantastic run and set up Pedro whose shot hit the post, with Villa reacting instinctively to fire it in off the other upright. Now he has 43 goals for his country, only one behind Raul.
It was left to Casillas to rival Villa as Spain's hero with a double save in the dying seconds to keep out Lucas Barrios and Roque Santa Cruz.
Both sides contrived to miss penalties before Villa came up trumps after Andres Iniesta had carved out an opening for Pedro, who hit the post with his new Barcelona team-mate producing the perfect follow up.
Until then, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, who made no fewer than six changes from the side that scraped past Japan on penalties, had got his tactics just right. Spain's coach Vicente del Bosque kept faith with the same starting line-up for the third game in a row but familiarity bred contempt for the first hour.
Paraguay could have gone ahead in the very first minute had they taken advantage of an excellent opening. The Spanish defence was split open by Oscar Cardozo who found Jonathan Santana on the edge of the box but his shot was tame and Iker Casillas was not troubled.
Cristian Riveros headed over as Paraguay continued their refusal to be overawed while Xavi, dogged by Cristian Riveros snapping at his heels, had a poor first half.
Spain failed to bring a single save out of Justo Villar in the first 45 minutes - Xavi's spin and volley that dipped just too late their one highlight, while Fernando Torres looked woeful.
After Joan Capdevila's free-kick was blocked, a break by Paraguay saw a stunning cross by Claudio Morel that was just missed by Santana.
Villa, who had looked the liveliest of the off-colour Spaniards, dragged a chance wide before Paraguay were controversially denied the lead.
Nelson Valdez brought down the ball and finished expertly but was flagged offside - replays showed he was just on - and he put his next chance high and wide after turning Carles Puyol inside and out at pace.
After 10 minutes of the second half del Bosque had seen enough and he sent on Cesc Fabregas for Torres and suddenly a drab game exploded into life.
Paraguay were awarded a penalty after Gerard Pique hauled down Cardozo. The Benfica forward dusted himself down and stepped up but Casillas saved low to his left.
Almost immediately referee Carlos Batres from Guatemala awarded a spot-kick at the other end after Villa was felled by Antolin Alcaraz. Xabi Alonso put it away only to be made to re-take it due to encroachment and this time Villar came up trumps - and he then got away with clipping Fabregas who reached the loose ball first.
Iniesta, who had been much subdued, suddenly woke up and brought a terrific save out of Villar with a curling effort, then lofted another effort high over the bar. Fabregas' hustling saw Xavi presented with a shooting chance and he hit it almost too well as it whistled past the post.
With seven minutes left Spain finally produced a goal worthy of their lofty reputation when Iniesta went on a fantastic run and set up Pedro whose shot hit the post, with Villa reacting instinctively to fire it in off the other upright. Now he has 43 goals for his country, only one behind Raul.
It was left to Casillas to rival Villa as Spain's hero with a double save in the dying seconds to keep out Lucas Barrios and Roque Santa Cruz.
MATCH SUMMARY
Men of the Match: Iker Casillas and Justo Villar - In a game devoid of much quality, both goalkeepers get an honourable mention. They both saved penalties to keep their respective teams in the match and the last time that happened was back in 1930 in a match between Argentina and Mexico.
Paraguay verdict: Gerardo Martino's side quickly slipped into their usual routine of defending tenaciously and hitting on the counter-attack. It worked a treat in the first-half but despite some slick interplay Paraguay were unable to capitalize on their early dominance. La Albirroja paid the price in the second-half as holes appeared at the back and David Villa eventually found a way through.
Spain verdict: Vicente del Bosque's side simply didn't turn up for the first-half. They were slow, lethargic, well off the pace and didn't muster a single shot on target. But with the coach's angry voice still ringing in their ears Spain rediscovered some of their fluid style after the break. When Torres and Alonso were replaced by Fabregas and Pedro, La Roja began to create chances and took the one that mattered.
Could do better: Xabi Alonso - Striker Fernando Torres could easily have been handed his fifth straight 'could do better' award but just to spare him such ignominy we have handed it to Alonso, and with justification. His much-vaunted passing was way off the mark and he also missed from the penalty spot. He was replaced by Pedro after 74 minutes.
Stat attack: Spain came into the 2010 World Cup having converted 14 of 14 penalties. They have missed two in this tournament.
