 CAPE TOWN: Paraguay stunned defending champions Italy with a goal six minutes before half-time to take a 1-0 lead into the break of their opening World Cup game on Monday.
On a cold and wet night, Antolin Alcaraz outjumped aging Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele De Rossi to head home a cross from Aureliano Torres on 39 minutes.
The four-time champions came into the match at Green Point Stadium under pressure after a underwhelming build-up and coach Marcello Lippi will need to do some stern talking in the dressing room.
The Italians had the first sniff of goal after five minutes when the ball bounced kindly for Riccardo Montolivo who shot on the half-volley but it was charged down by the defenders.
Lippi's team were in charge early on, making all the running and looking dangerous on the break as the rain poured down.
Vincenzo Iaquinta sent in a teasing cross but Alberto Gilardino couldn't get his head on the end of it as they ramped up the pressure.
Paraguay only started to come alive on 20 minutes, and some good build-up saw Torres have a punt from distance only to see the ball squirm well wide.
At the other end Montolivo, playing in place of injured AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, broke free down the middle but could only deliver a weak shot that went straight at Paraguay keeper Justo Villar.
Iaquinta was in the action again soon after and should have done better from inside the six yard box but was hounded off the ball before Alcaraz got the breakthrough. |
6:53 AM | 
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