Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Date: Saturday, 3 July 2010

Kick-off: 7:30 BST

Coverage: Television coverage on BBC1, video live on BBC Sport website for UK users, BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary on this website
TEAM NEWS

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has said that he will keep faith with Fernando Torres, despite the Liverpool striker's poor form at this World Cup. With that in mind, they are likely to stick with the same team for the third game running.

Midfielder Javier Martinez injured an ankle in training so may miss out on a place on the bench.

Paraguay may opt to restore Victor Caceres to the team after he missed the match with Japan through suspension. If he does play, he is expected to take the place of Nestor Ortigoza.

Aureliano Torres has recovered from a minor calf strain.

One booking from suspension: Alonso (Spain). Enrique Vera, Cristián Riveros and Roque Santa Cruz (Paraguay)
MATCH PREVIEW

In 1811, Paraguay achieved independence from their Spanish rulers. 199 years on and the plucky Paraguayans will again have to overthrow Spain, who are very much a footballing world superpower. Gerardo Martino's South American side are entering new territory by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but have their work cut out against a Spanish team that are ominously moving through the gears. However, they haven't earned a reputation as the World Cup's biggest chokers for nothing - 1950 is the only time they have made the semi-finals.

Much was made of Paraguay's striking options before the World Cup, but not one of their forwards have managed to find the net so far. They were deprived of their main goal threat, Salvador Cabanas, after he was shot in the head in January. His agent revealed he has been watching the action from his hospital bed near Buenos Aries and his regular contact with the squad has been a source of inspiration to their players in South Africa.

It's not just Paraguay's frontmen that have struggled for goals. Spain's Fernando Torres has seemingly been affected by the curse that has afflicted Premier League strikers at this World Cup. A host of big-name forwards who ply their trade in England, have failed to fire in South Africa and Torres has looked completely out of sorts. Fortunately, Spain can fall back on the form of David Villa, who has proven to be a one-man scoring machine and looks a great bet to win the Golden Boot.

But while Villa has been grabbing the headlines, plaudits have started to pour in for a backline that has conceded just 11 goals in 19 competitive matches under Vicente del Bosque. Their solidity, added to a disciplinary record that has seen only Xabi Alonso booked so far, has helped Spain recover from the shock defeat by Switzerland in their opening game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- They have met three times in their history. Two of those matches came at the group stage at the World Cup - they drew 0-0 in 1998 and Spain won 3-1 four years later. Their other meeting was a 0-0 draw in a friendly, also in 2002.
Paraguay

- Paraguay are in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time. They are the 12th nation of the 13 that appeared in the inaugural World Cup in 1930 that has reached the quarter-final stage, leaving Bolivia as the only country not to have done it.

- Defender Denis Caniza is hoping to become the second Paraguayan to win 100 caps.

- Roque Santa Cruz has not scored a World Cup goal in 799 minutes. His last and only goal came in 2002 in a 2-2 draw with South Africa.
Spain

- They must make history if they are to win the World Cup, as no country has lost its first group match and gone on to lift the trophy.

- They have only lost twice in their last 52 internationals - and both defeats came on South African soil (2-0 v USA and 1-0 v Switzerland).

- David Villa is just one goal short of Emilio Butragueno's Spanish record of five goals at one World Cup, set in 1986.

- Spain have reached the last four just once in World Cup history, in 1950.
MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)

Assistants: Leonel Leal (Costa Rica) and Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)

Fourth official: Benito Archundia (Mexico)

Match

I go for Spain. They have some of the finest players in the World. I see them winning the Trophy.

Na finesse we go chop ?

I want to see VILLA score a brace but SPAIN should be ELIMINATED !

this isnt a match. villa wil score hat trick

Spain all d way,,,,,,

Paraguay . . .nothin to offer

El Roja Furio for Semi Final

Maradona side lacks planning. the same illness that attacked the Ghanian. It is not about having the best of players but having the best of players understand each other. Kudos to the Germans but hope they pass through the wipe of the Uruguays.

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Go Paraguay.
I support the underdog.

My money is on Spain 2-1.

Paraguay fan.

For this gal, I would support Paraguay

Way too much creativity in the Spanish team.

Spain should get get their butts kicked !

no diggity

HOLLAND

GERMANY

PARAGUAY

URUGUAY all for the semis

looks fair this way  

9jafreak:

What a Game Tactic by the Paraguan Coach


[b]Spain (yes the Almighty pass-loving) Spain are yet to settle in this game

[/b]

perennial under achievers u mean . . .

I just hope Villa scores

go spain goooooooooooooooooooooooooo

This spain self

9jafreak:

[b]What a Game Tactic by the Paraguan Coach


Spain (yes the Almighty pass-loving) Spain are yet to settle in this game[/b]

i concour

Is Torres sick?

Torres like the Biblical Samson looks clueless without his hair.

Torres na player ?

give me Villa anyday !

Second half is on. The last time I saw a team plotting in the Tunnel at half time , they lost(and that was the Argies). I just saw Torres and His boys plotting again in the tunnel and I hope that's not a bad sign already

paraguay have put on the snooze button. the soul of switzerland is strong with this team.

like fabrigas is about to come on . As water don dey pass garri

paraguay miss a penalty

mystikal:

goal paraguay

you dey see double

penalty for spain

Alonso shows dem how its done

another one! for Spain