The 2010 World Cup became a means of proving the quality of the Paraguay national football team. Status as a dark horse team, Paraguay played well and made it difficult for big teams in South Africa.
Gerardo Martino's team is able to compete with teams whose level is above them. Paraguay has even been able to keep up with the top teams that won the 2010 World Cup.
Paraguay itself joined in Group F of the 2010 World Cup. They compete with Italy, Slovakia, and New Zealand.
On paper, of course, Italy is ahead of the other three teams. But Paraguay proved that football doesn't just revolve on paper. Let's see the full story below
Paraguay draw Italy
Paraguay underwent the first match with a tough challenge. They must start the journey of the 2010 World Cup against defending champions Italy.
However, Gerardo Martino managed to convince his players to appear confident against Italy. As a result, Paraguay can match the game of the four-time World Cup champion.
Paraguay could even break into Italy's tight defense in the 39th minute through Antolin Alcaraz's header. But Paraguay's slick performance only resulted in one point after Daniele De Rossi scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute.
Group Winners and Eliminate Italy
The draw against Paraguay is of course not a good result for Italy. Moreover, Marcello Lippi's squad is the defending champion.
But the draw against Paraguay in fact had an impact on the next two games. Italy again swallowed a draw in the second match and even lost in the third match against Slovakia.
While Paraguay managed to come out with the status of the winner of Group F with a collection of five points. Paraguay did not even swallow a single defeat in the Group F Phase.
After drawing against Italy, Paraguay managed to win against Slovakia and draw against New Zealand. Slovakia, who won in the final match officially accompanied Paraguay as runners up while getting rid of defending champion Italy at the bottom of the standings.
Win against Japan, make it difficult for Spain
Paraguay's brilliance didn't just stop at the Group Phase. They even managed to advance to the quarter-finals.
Paraguay who qualified for the round of 16 as winners of Group F met the runners up of Group E Japan. Paraguay managed to beat Japan in the shootout after 120 minutes of goalless play.
Qualified for the Quarter Finals, Paraguay will challenge Spain, who appeared with its gold squad for the 2010 World Cup. Although they lost materially, Paraguay was able to overwhelm Spain.
Vicente Del Bosque's team even had to wait until the 81st minute to score. David Villa came out as a hero of Spain with his single goal as well as being a figure of destroying Paraguay's dreams at the 2010 World Cup.