Interesting stuff at the World Cup… TGO
Refer to information below. Source: Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG – A look at Day 19 Tuesday at the 2010 World Cup (all times EDT):
RESULTS
Paraguay 0, Japan 0, Paraguay wins 5-3 in penalty kicks shootout and advances to quarterfinals
Spain 1, Portugal 0, Spain advances to quarterfinals
___
HIGHLIGHTS
Paraguay made all five of its penalty kicks in a shootout to beat Japan 5-3 after a 0-0 draw. The successful shooters were Edgar Barreto, Lucas Barrios, Cristian Riveros, Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo.
Spain showed much of the form that lifted it to the European championship in 2008 and beat neighbor Portugal 1-0 in their first meeting at a World Cup.
___
STARS
Oscar Cardozo clinched Paraguay’s trip to the quarterfinals with a left-footed drive into the lower left corner of the net for a 5-3 victory on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw.
David Villa, Spain, moved into a tie for the tournament scoring lead with his fourth, putting in his own rebound for a 1-0 win over Portgual.
___
HISTORY
Paraguay advanced to the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the first time by beating Japan 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw. It was the first shootout of the 2010 tournament.
David Villa’s goal lifted Spain past Portugal 1-0. It was the first time the Iberian neighbors met in a World Cup and their 33rd match against each other. Spain leads the rivalry with 16 victories and Portugal has five. The rest were draws.
___
GOAL OF THE DAY
David Villa’s fourth goal of the tournament was a classic Spanish score. Midfielder Andres Iniesta played a deceptive pass to fellow midfielder Xavi, whose backheel pass sprung Villa in the penalty area. Goalkeeper Eduardo made the save, but the rebound fell directly at Villa’s right foot and he put it home off the underside of the crossbar.
___
LOOKAHEAD
The quarterfinals are set for Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the Netherlands plays Brazil in Port Elizabeth and Uruguay meets Ghana in Johannesburg. Saturday’s matches have Germany against Argentina at Cape Town and Spain takes on Paraguay in Johannesburg.
Brazil eliminated the Netherlands in the 1998 semifinals before losing to France. The series record is 3-2-4 in favor of the South Americans, but Brazil has won two of the three World Cup matches.
Uruguay will meet Ghana for the first time.
Germany and Argentina have played in two World Cup finals, with the Albiceleste winning in 1986, and the Germans taking the 1990 title. Overall, Argentina leads 8-5-5, but Germany has won three of five meetings in World Cups, including the 2006 quarterfinals won by Germany in a penalty kicks shootout.
European champion Spain has played Paraguay three times overall, with two draws and one Spain victory. In the World Cup, Spain has a win and a draw.
___
QUOTABLE
“Character plays a big role. What can you say when a Cardozo asks to kick the fifth penalty and he does it the way he did it?” — Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino after Oscar Cardozo finished off Japan in the penalty kicks shootout.
“We never lost our confidence. We know the potential we have and what we can give.” — Spain’s David Villa on reaching the quarterfinals after struggling early in the tournament.
