Morientes dedicated his brace to his wife (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Jeonju

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Spanish superstar Fernando Morientes dedicated his goal double to his wife on her birthday - but the rest of the nation were celebrating too.

The 26-year-old saw his World Cup take off with two of the three goals that secured a 3 1 win over Paraguay in Group B and a place in the last 16.

Morientes' wife back home in Madrid was no doubt delighted with the turnaround in her husband's fortunes, and the fact that coach Jose Camacho reckons the Real Madrid ace is now fighting fit for what could well be a second phase class with the Republic of Ireland.

Morientes said: "Those goals were for my wife, it was her birthday the day before the game and I hope they make her happy. I called her on her birthday and she asked me to score goals for her as a present."

Spain look likely to win the group now, with their final game coming up against South Africa on June 12 in Daejeon.

And if the Irish go on to claim second spot in group E, then Mick McCarthy's side will be the next in the Morientes firing line in Suwon on June 16.

Morientes, who has started both Spanish matches so far from the bench, can look forward to a front-line role in place of the disappointing Diego Tristan.

Camacho said: "Morientes has not been fully fit or ready, but he is now."

And that could be the green light for Morientes to really make his mark on the tournament.

He said: "I am so happy because not every player is able to score goals for his country in the World Cup finals. Few get the chance but it has come my way.

"These are moments for happiness for me and if that makes the fans back home happy too, that's fine."

Spain's second-half fightback revealed a determined, clinical streak and the side's ability to claw their way back into a game after they were outplayed in the first period.

Morientes added: "The effort by the whole team was intense. It needed to be to turn the game around. Those two goals were very important for me as well as the team.

"We were behind at the break and that was a wake-up call for us. Sheer tenacity, that's what finally bore fruit for us. And we showed we can fight back as a team.

"My goals were beautiful because they were so important for us. The first one was because of (Francisco) De Pedro's fine cross and the second just hit me on the shins, knees, I don't know what, but I was close enough to let it bounce into the net.

"Some people were claiming I handled it, but that's not the case. It was not the hand of Morientes like it was the hand of Maradona!"

Paraguay started well, taking the lead through a Carlos Puyol own goal but were cut apart by resolution, clinical finishing and approach play after the break.

Morientes levelled soon after coming off the bench and then bagged his second before Fernando Hierro's late penalty wrapped up victory.

Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini however believes his team can still qualify for the second round.

He said of his players: "They were very quiet in the dressing room, we will discuss things later because I couldn't talk to them then.

"Now our final game with Slovenia is very important, if we beat them we can qualify, so there is still much hope from us."