The game was fought head to head by both teams, with Paraguay dominating most of the time. Guarani's aerial superiority had to show their worth against Spain's uncanny ball possession skills, with Xabi Alonso and Xavi as their main referents. But Victor Caceres and Cristian Riveros were furious and fast, recovering most of the balls and keeping the pressure on the Spaniard side for most of the time. Jonathan Santana and Antolin Alcaraz had their chances against Fury's goal, for Paraguay's offensive strikers were keeping most of their rival's defense busy, giving spaces for Guarani's aerial masters to do what they do best.
Spain on the edge
Paraguay was having problems to control Spain specially from the right side, from where Andres Iniesta, Sergio Rios and Fernando Torres were constantly exchanging roles and confusing Albirroja's defense. David Villa was lonely on the left wing, but his presence has not been that particularly determinant in the first half thanks to a Paulo Da Silva's close personal mark.
The last 10 minutes showed the best of Paraguay: First a long aerial ball was inches away from Alcaraz's head, who had already given Paraguay the lead on an important match in this competition. Morel Rodriguez send an incredible ball to the 6-yards box that went slightly away from Haedo Valdez's reach, but on the 40th minute the clearest and most controversial situation of the first half was seen:
Fernando Torres engaged in one-in-one combat with Justo Villar, but Liverpool's strikers could not connect the ball. Paraguay advanced fiercesly for the counter attack, and a brilliant center found Haedo Valdez in the center of the area. He controlled the ball and shot on the only space unguarded by Iker Casillas, but the referee declared off side, probably because of Tacuara Cardozo's position. Paraguay was making enough efforts to open the score, but the situation was rather adverse. At the last minute of the second half Haedo Valdez once again made its way against the goal and shot violently against Casillas' goal, but the Jabulani went high.
Captain's game
Justo Villar and Iker Casillar were forced to show their best at the Ellis Park. Both teams had a penalty shot on their favor, but first Casillas and later Villar denied Cardozo and Xabi Alonso the opportunity to score. The game was looking tougher and tougher, as no one was able to break their rival's defense. Fernando Torres was replaced by Cesc Fabregas to give the Fury more control in the midfield, but the battle was still won by the stubborn Guarani midfielders.
From that moment on the game breathed once again as a living organism, and the exhausted players could not offer any other response than violence to their rival's awakening. Caceres, Alcaraz, Sergio Busquets were booked at the minutes following the early penalty shoot out. Andres Iniesta was making the midfield his own personal play ground, as Blaugrana's striker was the undisputed warlord of the game.
When Xabi Alonso was replaced by Pedro on minute 75, Spain could face the game from a new perspective. Capdevilla was a constant danger for Paraguay, joining the offense and feeding Iniesta with an endless supply of balls from the right wing. 8 minutes later Iniesta found a space within Paraguay's defense and assisted beautifully Pedro, who caught the ball in motion, but his shot hit the post. Villa was waiting at the right place: his shot too hit the right post, then the left one to finally cross the line. South Africa's top striker was giving Del Bosque and the rest of the players their ticket for the semi finals when less expected.
Villa had three additional shots during the last five minutes, most of them thanks to Pedro's support. Now Germany will be waiting ahead to stop Spain from claiming their first title in history. After another weak performance of Fernando Torres, will he still be part of Del Bosque's starting eleven?
