#27: Spirited Paraguay crush Slovakia 2-0

AP

Bloemfontein, 20 June 2010: Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros scored a goal each on Sunday to give Paraguay a 2-0 win over Slovakia in Group F of the World Cup.

Paraguay took the lead in the 27th minute when forward Lucas Barrios slipped a pass into the box that Vera angled past Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha with a first-time shot. Riveros doubled the lead in the 86th with a left-footed drive from 12 meters (yards).

 

 

The win puts Paraguay at the top of the group with four points from two matches. Slovakia has one point.

Playing with a three-man front line spearheaded by recalled striker Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay controlled possession and the flow of play from the start at Free State Stadium and created a handful of early chances.

Slovakia, who are playing in their first major tournament since the former Czechoslovakia divided in 1993, looked outclassed and unsure of itself in the face of a physical Paraguayan side that beat both Argentina and Brazil in World Cup qualifying.

After Paraguay drew 1-1 with defending champion Italy in their World Cup opener, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino opted to switch from a 4-4-2 formation to an attacking 4-3-3 against Slovakia, with Santa Cruz, Nelson Valdez and Barrios up front.

The trio of big, strong strikers proved a handful for the Slovakia defence, outjumping, outmuscling and outrunning the Slovaks.

Forced to focus on defending, Slovakia never mounted a serious challenge to Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar’s goal.

Slovakia’s first and only shot on goal came from Robert Vittek’s drive in injury time.

Santa Cruz was a welcome addition to Paraguay’s starting lineup. The Manchester City striker has been hampered by a leg injury, and only came on as a second-half substitute against Italy.

But Santa Cruz made his presence felt almost immediately, collecting a ball at the top of the box in the third minute and hitting a right-footed shot that forced a diving save from Mucha.