Metzelder slides in on Paraguay's Bonet (Allsport)
Germany 1 Paraguay 0
By David Anderson, PA Sport, Seogwipo
Oliver Neuville struck with just two minutes remaining to send Germany through
to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
This disappointing second-round match in the Jeju World Cup stadium seemed
destined for extra-time and penalties before Neuville fired home his first goal
of the tournament to beat Paraguay.
Neuville's goal means Germany have won all five of their last appearances at
this stage of the World Cup by just the one goal.
Crucially for Germany, Michael Ballack shrugged off his calf problem to play
and the midfield star managed two early attempts, which went wide, from a header
and a free-kick.
Paraguay, who sensationally beat Slovenia 3-1 here on Wednesday to reach the
last 16, began to assert themselves and Denis Caniza fired wide of the left-hand
post of birthday boy Oliver Kahn, who is 33 today.
Francisco Arce went closer with that powerful right foot of his when he left
fly from a 25-yard free-kick, which Kahn punched clear.
Roque Santa Cruz had been injured early on and despite treatment, the Bayern
Munich striker failed to run off the knock and had to be replaced on the
half-hour mark by Jorge Campos, who scored Paraguay's second goal against
Slovenia.
Paraguay continued to create the better chances and Celso Ayala squandered by
far the best opening so far when, totally unmarked, he volleyed wide from Jose
Cardozo's right-wing cross from around 12 yards out. Cardozo looked none too
pleased with his team-mate's effort.
Paraguay threatened again and Kahn produced a good one-handed save to push
Campos' right-foot drive over for a corner.
Bernd Schneider should have done better from a chance in the opening minutes
of the second half when he shot straight into the grateful arms of Jose Luis
Chilavert after Marco Bode had picked him out with a right-wing cross.
Campos was a real threat on the left for Paraguay and Kahn did well to hold
his rasping left-foot drive.
Neuville briefly brightened up the dull proceedings with a swerving right-foot
drive from outside the area, which Chilavert clasped in his shovel-like hands.
On the whole, though, this was a disappointing match between two sides who had
managed to score 17 goals between them in the group stage.
The thought of extra-time and penalties began to creep into everyone's minds -
and that wasn't a pleasant thought given the excitement level so far.
Then with two minutes remaining, Neuville saved everyone from such a fate.
Schneider broke down the right and crossed to the edge of the six-yard box
where Neuville cracked the ball home on the half volley.
To complete Paraguay's woe, Roberto Acuna was sent off in stoppage time for
lashing out with his elbow.
Teams Germany: Kahn, Linke, Metzelder (Baumann 60), Frings,
Rehmer (Kehl 46), Ballack, Jeremies, Schneider,
Neuville (Asamoah 90), Bode, Klose.
Subs Not Used: Bierhoff, Bohme, Butt, Jancker, Lehmann, Ricken.
Booked: Schneider, Baumann, Ballack.
Goals: Neuville 88.
Paraguay: Chilavert, Caniza, Arce, Gamarra, Ayala,
Struway (Cuevas 90), Acuna, Bonet (Gavilan 84), Caceres,
Santa Cruz (Campos 29), Cardozo.
Subs Not Used: Alvarenga, Baez, Franco, Morinigo, Sanabria,
Sarabia, Tavarelli, Villar.
Sent Off: Acuna (90).
Booked: Acuna, Cardozo.
Att: 25,176
Ref: C Batres (Guatemala).
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