Spain Reach First Ever World Cup Semi-Final

Spain laid their World Cup quarter final ghost to rest last night as they reached the semi-final for the first time with a 1-0 win over Paraguay.

But the European Champions left it late as David Villa struck once again in the eighty third to take the lead after delivering another under par performance as their famous passing game was largely absent.

Del Bosque named an unchanged side for their encounter with the South American team as he kept the faith with striker Fernando Torres.

While there were six changes to the Paraguay side that had beaten Japan in the previous round. But it was Paraguay who made the brighter start as Santana forced a save from Casillas in the opening minute of play.

Riveros and Alcaraz also came close in the early stages of the game as Paraguay, who were playing in their first ever World Cup quarter final, showed no sign of nerves and intended to take the game to Spain.

Spain seemed to be getting frustrated with their normal passing and possession game was missing and they were creating few chances.

Their first real look at goal was a cross by Sergio Ramos which was punched away by keeper Villar. But in the last fifteen minutes of the first half it looked like Spain were finally starting to come to life as Villa looked as if he was going to threaten before Xavi when close.

But in the thirty fifth minute Paraguay found the back of the net as a cross from Claudio Morel was met by Nelson Valdez, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

At the half time whistle the two teams were locked together at 0-0 in what was a rather disappointing half and a lack lustre performance from Spain.

The second half had a little bit of everything as it went dull as dishwater to super exciting as penalty madness descended from the fifty fifth minute.

But first Del Bosque, just before the chaos erupted , made his first change of the evening as he brought Torres off and replaced him with Cesc Fabregas.

Paraguay won the first penalty of the match when Pique pulled down Cardozo in the area, he was booked for his effort and Cardozo stepped up to take the penalty.

Casillas hasn’t always looked string in goal for Spain over recent matches but he didn’t make a mistake this time as he kept the Spanish in the match.

But almost immediately there was a penalty awarded down the other end of the field when Alcaraz fouled Villa.

Up stepped Xabi Alonso who found the back of the net. But nothing is ever that simple and referee Carlos Batres ordered a retake because of encroachment, despite encroachment taking place during Paraguay’s penalty.

Second time around Alonso was not so lucky as Villar saved the shot. But Spain should have been awarded a second as players shot into the box to get on the rebound and Fabregas was brought down by Villar, a stonewall penalty that wasn’t given.

While Andreas Iniesta came close to breaking the deadlock on sixty three minutes they had to wait until seven minutes before time as David Villa struck.

Iniesta was involved again as he went on a run before feeding in Pedro who went for goal, only to see the shot come off the post.

But the rebound fell at the feet of Villa who struck but the ball came off both posts before finally rolling into the goal to give Spain the lead.

But Paraguay weren’t done as they had a chance to level the match when Casillas couldn’t keep hold of a strike by Barrios. But the keeper was on hand to save a second strike by Cruz to keep Spain’s lead intact.

Despite all of their hard work throughout the match by Paraguay it’s Spain who reach their first ever semi-final at the World Cup but will have to pick up their performance if they want to get past an inform Germany.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw