Paraguay Top Group E

A 0-0 draw for Paraguay in their final match against New Zealand was enough to see them top Group F and progress into the final sixteen.

At the start of the match New Zealand were also still had a chance to make it out of the group stage, but a draw would not be good enough for them.

It was a fairly dull match as Paraguay seemed happy to play for the draw and new Zealand just didn’t have the quality to pose any real threat.

There was only one real chance for Paraguay to find the back of the net in the first half when Denis Caniza smacked a half volley over the crossbar, and that was as close as either side came.

With Slovakia leading Italy at half time the 0-0 result was enough for Paraguay but the Kiwis needed a win if they were to keep their hopes alive.

New Zealand’s only chance came in the second half when Simon Elliott blasted a shot from outside the box, but it sailed over the crossbar. And that was about as close as they came to the Paraguay goal.

In the final twenty minutes of the match it was Paraguay who looked the more likely side to score as a close range header from Riveros, which forced a great save from Paston.

And Paston was called into action just minutes later when he stopped a low shot from Benitez . Into the dying minutes and New Zealand did try to surge forward as they send a handful of shots into the box.

But their lack of chances on goal earlier in the match was to be their downfall and the full time 0-0 result saw Paraguay top the group while New Zealand were on their way home.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw