Spain Is First Team Into Second Round

(Friday, June 7, 2002) - Substitute Fernando Morientes scored twice as Spain came from behind to beat Paraguay 3-1 in their Group B match on Friday to become the first side to reach the second round of the World Cup. Spain's win puts it top of the group on six points and ensures them a place in the last 16.

Paraguay had taken a surprise lead in the 10th minute when right back Carles Puyol put through his own net. But Morientes, who had replaced Diego Tristan at halftime, levelled the score with a header from a Javi de Pedro corner in the 53rd minute and he also netted Spain's second from close range in the 69th minute. Captain Fernando Hierro sealed the victory with a penalty in the 82nd minute.

After 10 minutes, Spain's World Cup nightmares seemed to have resurfaced when Puyol finished off Paraguay's first attack of the game by scoring an own goal. The shaggy-haired right back, nicknamed "Tarzan", was running back towards his goalmouth when Paraguay defender Francisco Arce fired in a fierce, swerving shot from the corner of the Spanish box. Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas palmed the shot clear but the ball ricocheted off Puyol's leg and flew into the Spanish net.

Spain struggled to break down a well-organized Paraguayan defense for the rest of the half and, despite a couple of efforts from Raul, they went in 1-0 down at halftime.

Paraguay's Carlos Paredes attempts to stop Spain's Juan Carlos Valeron.

Spanish Head Coach Jose Antonio Camacho brought on Morientes at the start of the second half and the substitution immediately paid dividends. Seven minutes into the half, De Pedro swung in a corner and Morientes connected with a strong header into the back of the net.

The two players combined again for Spain's second goal. De Pedro crossed from the touchline and Morientes sent the ball in from close range with Paraguayan goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert missing the ball as he charged off his line attempting to swat it away.

Chilavert tried to find an equalizer with one of his famous left-footed free kicks but Casillas saved it and Spain went on to win their penalty when Raul was brought down by Carlos Parades, which Hierro duly converted perfectly.

Spain fielded an unchanged side for its second World Cup Group B game against Paraguay, with Diego Tristan considered fit enough to resume his role up front alongside Raul. Tristan missed a day of training this week after suffering an ankle injury in the 3-1 win over Slovenia that took Spain top of the group. He would be replaced by Morientes at the half.

Spain's Raul did not have to score on this day as Real Madrid teammate Fernando Morientes netted two.

Paraguay welcomed back goal-scoring 'keeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who was suspended for the side's 2-2 draw against South Africa. Coach Cesare Maldini also recalled midfielder Carlos Paredes and striker Jose Cardozo, both of whom missed the South Africa game through injury. Midfielder Guido Alvarenga picked up a thigh injury against the South Africans and was on the bench.

Scoring Summary:
PAR: Puyol (og) 10
SPA: Morientes 53
SPA: Morientes 69
SPA: Hierro (PK) 82

Lineups:

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 5-Carles Puyol, 6-Fernando Hierro, 20-Miguel Angel Nadal, 3-Juanfran; 21-Luis Enrique (4-Ivan Helgera 46), 8-Ruben Baraja, 17-Juan Carlos Valeron (19-Xavi 85), 11-Javi de Pedro; 7-Raul, 10-Diego Tristan (9-Fernando Morientes 46)

Paraguay: 1-Jose Luis Chilavert; 2-Francisco Arce, 4-Carlos Gamarra, 5-Celso Ayala, 18-Julio Cesar Caceres, 21-Denis Caniza (6-Estanislao Struway 78); 13-Carlos Paredes, 14-Diego Gavilan, 10-Roberto Acuna; 9-Roque Santa Cruz, 20-Jose Cardozo (11-Jorge Campos 63)

Referee: Gamal Ghandour (Egypt)