David Villa scored his fifth goal of the World Cup in the 83rd minute as Spain got past Paraguay 1–0 in a very dramatic and bizarre quarterfinal match in Johannesburg.
It was Spain’s attack against Paraguay’s defense but ultimately, Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres’s decisions made this game one that won’t be soon forgotten.
The game’s drama skyrocketed during a two-minute span on the hour mark when Batres awarded Paraguay a penalty after Spain’s Gerard Pique pulled down Oscar Cardozo in the box. Pique was yellow carded. Cardozo stepped up and hit it well but Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas guessed right and came up with a fine save.
Then, down at the other end, Villa was dragged down by Antolin Alcaraz and Batres awarded Spain a penalty. Xabi Alonso stepped up and scored but Batres ruled that Spanish players had entered the 18-yard box prior to the kick being struck. He was correct by the letter of the law as replays showed Spanish players encroaching.
Alonso’s re-take of the penalty was saved by Justo Villar and the rebound was struck by Sergio Ramos but saved by the Paraguayan defense. On the play, Villar could have been called for another penalty as he took out Cesc Fabregas in going for the ball. What a couple of chaotic minutes at the World Cup!
Batres made the correct calls in awarding both penalties, although the circumstances of how events took place make one really wonder how it could all be happening.
All game long, Paraguay had managed to contain Spain’s dynamic midfield led by Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. But it would only be a matter of time before Spain unlocked the Paraguay box.
In the 83rd minute, Iniesta managed to skip past a couple of defenders before laying off the ball at the top of the 18-yard box to substitute Pedro. Pedro’s shot hit off the post and bounced to Villa. Villa’s shot then bounced off both posts before crossing the goal line and in.
It was a truly bizarre goal to win a truly bizarre game.
Paraguay had one last great chance as Roque Santa Cruz’s shot was saved by the brilliant Casillas in the 89th minute. Cardozo was in tears after the match. Paraguay had left their hearts and souls on the field but soccer can be a cruel game sometimes.
With the matchups in the semifinals set, only one South American team remains—Uruguay, who came in fifth in South American qualifying. Uruguay will face Netherlands on Tuesday, and now Spain faces Germany in a rematch of the Euro 2008 final on Wednesday.
It was Spain’s attack against Paraguay’s defense but ultimately, Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres’s decisions made this game one that won’t be soon forgotten.
The game’s drama skyrocketed during a two-minute span on the hour mark when Batres awarded Paraguay a penalty after Spain’s Gerard Pique pulled down Oscar Cardozo in the box. Pique was yellow carded. Cardozo stepped up and hit it well but Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas guessed right and came up with a fine save.
Then, down at the other end, Villa was dragged down by Antolin Alcaraz and Batres awarded Spain a penalty. Xabi Alonso stepped up and scored but Batres ruled that Spanish players had entered the 18-yard box prior to the kick being struck. He was correct by the letter of the law as replays showed Spanish players encroaching.
Alonso’s re-take of the penalty was saved by Justo Villar and the rebound was struck by Sergio Ramos but saved by the Paraguayan defense. On the play, Villar could have been called for another penalty as he took out Cesc Fabregas in going for the ball. What a couple of chaotic minutes at the World Cup!
Batres made the correct calls in awarding both penalties, although the circumstances of how events took place make one really wonder how it could all be happening.
All game long, Paraguay had managed to contain Spain’s dynamic midfield led by Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta. But it would only be a matter of time before Spain unlocked the Paraguay box.
In the 83rd minute, Iniesta managed to skip past a couple of defenders before laying off the ball at the top of the 18-yard box to substitute Pedro. Pedro’s shot hit off the post and bounced to Villa. Villa’s shot then bounced off both posts before crossing the goal line and in.
It was a truly bizarre goal to win a truly bizarre game.
Paraguay had one last great chance as Roque Santa Cruz’s shot was saved by the brilliant Casillas in the 89th minute. Cardozo was in tears after the match. Paraguay had left their hearts and souls on the field but soccer can be a cruel game sometimes.
With the matchups in the semifinals set, only one South American team remains—Uruguay, who came in fifth in South American qualifying. Uruguay will face Netherlands on Tuesday, and now Spain faces Germany in a rematch of the Euro 2008 final on Wednesday.
