The soccer World Cup in South Africa surged into top gear this morning as the fourth semi-finalist was decided.
Spain today dispatched Paraguay 1-0 to secure their first-ever semi-final appearance at the World Cup. The All Whites had held Paraguay to a 1-1 draw in an earlier pool match.
David Villa’s winner hit both posts before his shot hit the back of the net 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 and then went in off the near post for his fifth goal.
In the semifinals, the European champions will face Germany in Durban on Wednesday.
In Port Elizabeth, Netherlands came from behind to stun five-time champion Brazil 2-1 on Friday and become the first semi-finalist.
Wesley Sneijder scored the winner in the 68th minute with a header following a corner kick.
"It just slipped through from my bald head and it was a great feeling," Sneijder said.
It was the Netherlands' first win over Brazil since the 1974 World Cup, when Johan Cruyff was the team's star and "total football" reigned.
"It was an amazing game. I think we showed the whole world how we can play," Sneijder said. "Finally we won, we beat Brazil."
Robinho had given Brazil the lead in the 10th, but the Netherlands equalized in the 53rd with an own goal from Felipe Melo.
In Cape Town, Germany battered Diego Maradona’s Argentina 4-0 on Saturday to propel the three-time champions into the semifinals.
Miroslav Klose scored two of the goals to take his World Cup tally to 14 in three tournaments, equalling the German record held by Gerd Mueller. Brazil striker Ronaldo has the overall World Cup record with 15 goals.
In Johannesburg on Friday, Uruguay reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970, beating Ghana 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw Friday.
The Uruguayans advanced to face the Netherlands in the semifinals after Sebastian Abreu casually slotted the last penalty straight down the middle to secure the win.
Germany will face Spain in the other semi-final.