Paraguay 2, Slovakia 0
Slovakia tried to sit back and win on counterattacks. Paraguay would have none of that, playing more aggressively and securing a 2-0 victory. The win puts La Albirroja in prime position to advance into the group of 16.
Both of Paraguay's goals came on failed Slovakian attempts to clear the ball. Paraguay's first score in the 26th minute was a thing of beauty. Lucas Barrios fed the ball through the legs of one defender and perfectly to the foot of Enrique Vera, who split two more defenders. Vera ripped a shot with the outside of his right foot that hugged the post and beat Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha. Cristian Riveros added some insurance for Paraguay in the 86th minute on a left-footed drive into the back of the net. Slovakia registered its first and only shot on target in the 92nd minute.
Italy 1, New Zealand 1
In arguably New Zealand's greatest achievement in soccer history, the All Whites tied the reigning World Cup champions, Italy, 1-1. New Zealand jumped out to its first-ever lead at a World Cup when Shane Smeltz tapped in a flicked free kick in the sixth minute. New Zealand held the lead until Italy earned a penalty kick in the 27th minute when Tommy Smith was booked for pulling down Daniele De Rossi. Vincenzo Iaquinta didn't miss, tying the match at 1.
New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston was spectacular, keeping his squad even with the defending champions and earning himself a standing ovation as the final whistle sounded. Italy outshot New Zealand 23-3, but could not put another one past Paston.
Standings
Group A
Uruguay
(1-0-1, 4 points, 3 goals, 0 goals against)
Mexico (1-0-1, 4 points, 3
goals, 1 goal against)
France (0-1-1, 1 point, 0 goals, 2 goals
against)
South Africa (0-1-1, 1 point, 1 goal, 4 goals against)
Group
B
Argentina (2-0-0, 6 points, 5 goals, 1 goal against)
South
Korea (1-1-0, 3 points, 3 goals, 4 goals against)
Greece (1-1-0, 3
points, 2 goals, 3 goals against)
Nigeria (0-2-0, 0 points, 1 goal, 3
goals against)
Group C
Slovenia (1-0-1, 4
points, 3 goals, 2 goals against)
USA (0-0-2, 2 points, 3 goals, 3
goals against)
England (0-0-2, 2 points, 1 goal, 1 goal against)
Algeria
(0-1-1, 1 points, 0 goals, 1 goal against)
Group D
Ghana
(1-0-1, 4 points, 2 goals, 1 goal against)
Germany (1-1-0, 3 points,
4 goals, 1 goal against)
Serbia (1-1-0, 3 points, 1 goal, 1 goal
against)
Australia (0-1-1, 1 point, 1 goal, 5 goals against)
Group
E
Netherlands (2-0-0, 6 points, 3 goals, 0 goals against)
Japan
(1-1-0, 3 points, 1 goal, 1 goal against)
Denmark (1-1-0, 3 points, 2
goals, 3 goals against)
Cameroon (0-2-0, 0 points, 1 goal, 3 goals
against)
Group F
Paraguay (1-0-1, 4 points, 3 goals, 1 goal
against)
Italy (0-0-2, 2 points, 2
goals, 2 goals against)
New Zealand (0-0-2, 2 points, 2 goals, 2 goals against)
Slovakia
(0-1-1, 1 point, 1 goal, 3 goals against)
Group G
Brazil
(1-0-0, 3 points, 2 goals, 1 goal against)
Ivory Coast (0-0-1, 1
point, 0 goals, 0 goal against)
Portugal (0-0-1, 1 point, 0 goals, 0
goal against)
North Korea (0-1-0, 0 points, 1 goal, 2 goals against)
Group
H
Chile (1-0-0, 3 points, 1 goal, 0 goals against)
Switzerland
(1-0-0, 3 points, 1 goal, 0 goals against)
Honduras (0-1-0, 0
points, 0 goals, 1 goal against)
Spain (0-1-0, 0 points, 0 goals, 1
goal against)
Coming up: After giving Brazil a tough test, North Korea will face Portugal on Monday at 7:30 a.m. (ET). The undefeated members of Group H, Chile and Switzerland, will go head to head at 10 a.m. Spain and Honduras square off at 2:30 p.m. as both search for a first win.
