Spain 3-1 Paraguay
Spain became the first team to book their place in the World Cup's second round when they came from behind to beat Paraguay in Jeonju.
Two goals from substitute Fernando Morientes and a penalty from captain Fernando Hierro saw off the South American challenge.
But the fancied Spaniards rarely set the game alight and trailed for almost half the match before asserting their authority late on.
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MATCH FACTS |
10 mins: Puyol's own goal puts Paraguay in front
35: Puyol's block denies Santa Cruz a certain second
53: Morientes heads Spain level
69: Morientes gives Spain the lead
83: Hierro scores Spain's third with a penalty
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Spain had won their opening match for the first time since 1950.
But they quickly reverted to under-achieving type as Paraguay carried the game to them in the opening stages.
And the South Americans greater enterprise earned them the lead as early as the 10th minute, albeit courtesy of a freak own goal by Puyol.
The Barcelona defender had headed clear a long free-kick from Chilavert, but only as far as Francisco Arce just outside the box.
His stinging drive was parried by Iker Casillas in the Spanish goal but the force of the rebound saw the ball cannon off the helpless Puyol and into the net.
That wake-up call roused Spain from their slumbers.
But, although they dominated both territory and possession for much of the remainder of the half, they created little in front of goal.
Chilavert tipped over a lob from Raul two minutes after the opener and survived a couple of well-flighted crosses from De Pedro.
But after Raul twice blasted wide, the Spanish storm appeared to blow itself out before the half-hour.
Paraguay had piled bodies behind the ball after taking the lead but began to re-emerge as an attacking force in the half's closing stages.
And it took a vital block by Puyol to prevent Roque Santa Cruz doubling the lead in the 35th minute, after Casillas had been caught out of position fruitlessly chasing a cross.
Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho rang the changes at half-time, bringing on Morientes to partner his Real Madrid team-mate Raul up front.
And Morientes made an immediate impact to bring Spain level within eight minutes.
The 26-year-old arrived unmarked on the penalty spot to head powerfully home from a corner.
That looked like Spain's cue to resume normal service but, although they continued to dominate, chances came at both ends.
Casillas had to save at the feet of Santa Cruz after the Paraguay striker had exposed Fernando Hierro's lack of pace in the 64th minute.
And moments later Morientes squandered a golden opportunity when he clipped his shot over both Chilavert and the crossbar when through on goal.
But the Real forward made instant amends by giving Spain a 69th minute lead with his 16th goal in 21 internationals.
Paraguay appeared to have plenty of cover when De Pedro swung in a cross from the left.
But Chilavert raced off his line and missed the ball completely, allowing Morientes to run it into the empty net from close range.
The extrovert keeper almost redeemed himself with one of his trademark free-kicks in the 78th minute but three minutes later the game was effectively over.
Raul won a penalty and captain Hierro stepped up to fire home his 29th international goal and book Spain's place in round two.
Spain: Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Miguel Angel Nadal, Fernando Hierro, Juanfran, Ruben Baraja, Luis Enrique (Ivan Helguera 45), Juan Carlos Valeron (Xavi 85), Javi De Pedro, Diego Tristan (Fernando Morientes 45), Raul.
Subs Not Used: David Albelda, Pedro Contreras, Curro Torres, Joaquin, Alberto Luque, Gaizka Mendieta, Ricardo, Enrique Romero, Sergio.
Booked: Baraja.
Goals: Morientes 53, 69, Hierro 83 pen.
Paraguay: Jose Luis Chilavert, Francisco Arce, Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, Julio Cesar Caceres,
Denis Caniza (Estanislao Struway 78), Carlos Paredes, Diego Gavilan, Roberto Acuna, Jose Cardozo (Jorge Campos 63), Roque Santa Cruz.
Subs Not Used: Guido Alvarenga, Richart Baez, Carlos Bonet, Nelson Cuevas, Juan Carlos Franco, Gustavo Morinigo, Daniel Sanabria, Pedro Sarabia, Ricardo Tavarelli, Justo Villar.
Booked: Arce, Gavilan, Santa Cruz.
Goals: Puyol 10 og.
Attendance: 24,000
Referee: G Ghandour (Egypt).
| MATCH STATS |
| | Spain | Paraquay |
| Corners (1st half) | 2 | 1 |
| Corners (2nd half) | 3 | 2 |
| Fouls committed | 10 | 20 |
| Caught offside | 5 | 1 |
| Shots on target | 8 | 2 |
| Shots off target | 10 | 8 |
| Hit woodwork (back into play) | 1 | 0 |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 3 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
| STOPPAGE TIME | |
| First half - 2 mins | Second half - 4 mins |
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