The 31-year-old may have looked less experienced than his 70-plus caps suggest against England.

But the Argentinian-based defender has owned the Paraguayan defence since making his debut alongside Carlos Gamarra back in March 1993 against Bolivia.

Ayala lacks the pace and panache of his earlier international career but has the potential to recapture his sharpness.

One of the most capped players worldwide in the qualifiers, he represented his country 16 times en route to the finals.