 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 - and
effectively the first Golden
Goal of this World Cup - to
beat unambitious 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 his powerful right foot
when he let fly with 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
at Ballack with his elbow.
Germany
Kahn, Linke, Metzelder (Baumann 60), Frings, Rehmer (Kehl 46), Ballack, Jeremies, Schneider, Neuville (Asamoah 90), Bode, Klose.
Paraguay
Chilavert, Caniza, Arce, Gamarra, Ayala, Struway (Cuevas 90), Acuna, Bonet (Gavilan 84), Caceres, Santa Cruz (Campos 29), Cardozo.
Attendance: 25,176.
Referee: C Batres (Guatemala).
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