Paraguay and New Zealand settled with a goalless tie in the Peter Mokaba Stadium of Polokwane for their last game of Group F in the World Cup 2010 tournament. Paraguay placed first and is advancing to the second round, while New Zealand remained undefeated and in third place above…World Cup Champions Italy.
Paraguay was better in a first half with pretty much no chances for goal from either opponent. The South American team had the overall ball possession (56% against 44%), but the two goalkeepers were not that busy since almost all shots taken during the first 45 minutes missed the target.
Since Slovakia was leading the other group game by 1-0 (leaving New Zealand outside the next round), Ricki Herbert’s players came in much stronger in the second half. Simon Elliott lost a great chance for New Zealand in 49′, and Paraguay answered back with a nice header from Cristian Riveros that was blocked by Mark Paston. Paston also stopped Édgar Benítez in 75′, and Roque Santa Cruz three minutes later. Cruz missed two more chances for Paraguay in 81′ and 85′, both with foul shots that were blocked by Paston. So nothing changed till the end of the game and Paraguay took the first place in Group F, while New Zealand remained undefeated but out of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
