World Cup 2010, Quarterfinals: Paraguay 0-0 Spain - Half Time Report
Paraguay were unfortunate to head into the break still level with a Spanish side that failed to impress in the last quarterfinals game at the World Cup. The Paraguayans looked much more menacing up front and had a number of good opportunities to score the opening goal, and were wrongly denied a goal.
The half started off as expected, with Spain dominating possession. The midfield quartet of Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Busquets sprayed the ball around the pitch, in hopes of opening up the Paraguayan defence. The Paraguay team, though, was very well organized and played a high-intensity game not unlike the one used by Portugal in the first half against Spain in the last round. This meant that the Spanish players had to rush their passes and consequently failed to put together a move that could end in a goal.
Valdez was particularly impressive up front as he worked his socks off for the benefit of his team. In the 8th minute, his efforts nearly forced the Spanish Captain and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, into a mistake. Casillas was taking too long with his clearance and Valdez managed to block the keeper's kick, but luckily for the Spaniard, it went wide of the goal.
Fernando Torres and David Villa were kept at bay by the excellent marking from Paraguayans defenders, who didn't give the Spanish forwards an inch of space in the first half.
More excellent work from Valdez in the 35th minute, as he held on to the ball well and then distributed it to Morel, who hooked in a superb cross for the on-rushing Santana, but the ball flew over his head and the Spaniards breathed a sigh of relief once more.
The most controversial moment of the first half came in the 41st minute, when a long-ball aimed for Cardozo found its way to the unmarked Valdez, who made no mistake with the finish and put the ball in the back of the net. The referee's assistant blew his whistle for off-side and the score stayed 0-0. The replay appeared to show that Cardozo was off-side, but the goal-scorer Valdez had been on-side. The Paraguayans will feel that the decision was unfair since Cardozo never touched the ball, but the vague nature of the new off-side law means that the referee could be spared criticism since Cardozo did in fact look to head the ball and could therefore be seen as 'interfering with play'.
Before the referee blew the whistle for half time, there was yet another chance for Valdez, who was unquestionably the man of the match for Paraguay in the first half. His shot in first half injury time, though, failed to test the goalkeeper and it ended 0-0.
Spain will be looking for an improved performance in the second half whereas the Paraguayans will be looking for more of the same. Spain Coach, Del Basque, has a number of options on the bench which he can use to change the game, if need be. Cesc Fabregas and new Manchester City signing, David Silva, will be looking for an opportunity to earn a starting place, should Spain progress to the Semi-Finals. Paraguay can also call on the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, which may help them finish off some of the chances they have created.
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