Spain 3 Paraguay 1
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Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert served up two broken promises today as Spain became the first side to reach the second phase of the World Cup following a 3-1 revenge win in Group B.
The charismatic veteran had vowed to keep a clean sheet - and also score twice himself - after returning from a four-game suspension earned for spitting at Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos during a qualifier.
But Spain, having let Chilavert wind them up all week, dramatically turned the tables after falling behind to an early own goal from Puyol.
It was sweet revenge for the Spanish as a goalless draw with the Paraguayans helped to wreck their campaign at France 98 in the first phase.
They now qualify for the knockout stage having earlier beaten Slovenia 3-1, while Paraguay are struggling following an earlier draw with South Africa.
Spanish substitute Fernando Morientes rescued his side with two second-half efforts and Fernando Hierro added a late penalty.
Paraguay, clad in a paler version of Dutch orange, started brightly with Francisco Arce producing dangerous runs and crosses down the right. But it was a stroke of luck which put the Paraguayans ahead in the tenth minute.
Arce decided for once to go it alone. Although Spanish keeper Iker Casillas pawed the effort away Puyol was standing right in front of him and the ball ricocheted into the net.
Spain showed a greater sense of urgency after the goal as Raul turned sharply to fire over from a tight angle and hooked a second acrobatic effort goalwards before Luis Enrique missed a free header which he sent high over the bar.
Coach Jose Antonio Camacho threw on Morientes, left out off the starting line-up for an ankle strain, for Diego Tristan for the second period and he made an immediate impact, heading home from a corner in the 53rd minutes - his 15th goal in just 21 Spanish appearances.
Another of Real Madrid's Champions League winners, Ivan Helguera, also came on, replacing Luis Enrique.
After 82 minutes Spain wrapped things up when Raul was impeded area and Egyptian referee Wagih Farag awarded a penalty.
Hierro, yet another Real star, coolly picked his spot to take his Spanish record goal tally to 29 as he sent Chilavert the wrong way. He also netted against Slovenia.
The downcast keeper's only contribution in attack was a curling freekick which Casillas smothered easily.
Spain will now play either Cameroon, Germany or Ireland.
AFP