Late goal does it for Spain

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

David Villa saved Spain again yesterday, scoring with seven minutes left to give his team a 1-0 win over Paraguay and their first-ever appearance in the World Cup semi-finals.

With both sides having already missed penalty kicks, substitute Pedro Rodriguez hit the post following a pass by Andres Iniesta and the ball fell to Villa in the area. The striker took one touch before his curling shot hit the far post, rebounded on to the other and went in - putting him top of the tournament scoring charts with five goals.

"The post wanted it to go in," Villa said.

Spain will play their semi-final in Durban on Wednesday against Germany, the team they beat in the 2008 European Championship final.

"Quite apart from their results, the Germans are playing brilliantly, so they must be tremendously motivated," Iniesta said. "It will be a game between two rivals who enjoy having the ball and I think it will be a beautiful battle."

Missed penalties

But Paraguay's defence mostly kept Spain's vaunted attack at bay, and both teams' best chance to win in normal time came from the spot.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved a 59th-minute penalty kick by Oscar Cardozo. Paraguay captain Justo Villar matched him two minutes later, but only after referee Carlos Batres made Xabi Alonso retake an initially successful kick because of encroachment by several teammates.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas was brought down by Villar as he pushed the rebound past the goalkeeper, but Batres waved away appeals for another penalty.

Paraguay almost equalised in the 89th as Casillas stopped a shot by Lucas Barrios before punching away Roque Santa Cruz's attempt from the rebound. Villa then had a chance to make it 2-0 at the other end after a breakaway but Villar made the save.

"We played Spain on an equal footing but we were unlucky; there's not a lot else to say," Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino said. "Spain have moved on to the semi-finals, but we could have too. That's the feeling I have when I look at the talents and capabilities of each side."

Paraguay, making their first quarter-final appearance, matched Spain for chances until the European champions improved after Fernando Torres made way for Fabregas in the 53rd.