Vera, Riveros Goals Lead Dominant Paraguay Past Slovakia, 2-0

World Cup 2010, Paraguay Vs. Slovakia: 2-0 Win Puts Paraguay Top In Group F

A late Cristian Riveros goal put the match away, but with the Slovaks failing to threaten until injury time, when they were already down two, there may have never been a match to put away. Paraguay went up in the 27th minute through Enrique Vera and, after that, were never threatened.

With their 2-0 victory, Paraguay sits at the top of Group F, holding four points ahead of an Italy-New Zealand match that could see one of their group counterparts pull even. Slovakia remains on one point and, facing Italy in their last match of the group, are now unlikely to go through to the knockout stage.

It’s a state of affairs for which Slovakia can only blame themselves. Paraguay used their switch to a three striker formation to exert constant pressure on the Slovakia back line. In addition to seeing their defenders respond poorly, Slovakia failed to respond. Coach Vladimir Weiss’s first substitution came in the 70th minute, a like-for-like chance that swapped forwards.

As a result, Slovakia went the match’s ninety minutes with only one shot on goal: a 92nd minute attempt from 19 yards out by Robert Vittek.

The result leaves Paraguay with four point through what was thought to be their two toughest matches. A draw against New Zealand next Thursday will put them into the knockout stage.

Slovakia is in the opposite situation. They have played what were thought to be their two easiest matches. They take on defending world champions Italy on Thursday needing a win to have a chance to advance.

World Cup 2010, Slovakia Vs. Paraguay: Paraguayans Control First 45 Against Slovaks

Enrique Vera's 27th minute goal has carried Paraguay into halftime with a 1-0 lead, controlling the first 45 minutes against Slovakia.

Vera scored in the middle of the half with an assist from Lucas Barrios, finishing with the outside of his right foot from 17 yards out.

Around the goal, Paraguay controlled the first half, using  a formation featuring three strikers to pressure the increasingly suspect Slovakia back line.  Slovakia has had much of their possession in their own half, unable to link-up with the midfield, where they should have an advantage over their opponents.  

Instead, the Paraguayans have been able to force the Slovak defenders into a number of giveaways, almost leading to a second goal late in the half from Vera.

World Cup 2010, Slovakia Vs. Paraguay: Enrique Vera Goal Puts Paraguay Ahead In 27th Minute

Winger Enrique Vera has put Paraguay on top of Slovakia 1-0 in the 27th minute of Sunday's early match, using the outside of his right foot to finish past Jan Mucha from 17 yards out.

The opportunity was created by Lucas Barrios who carried the ball across the top of the penalty area before feeding through a number of Slovakia defenders to an oncoming Vera.  Center back-cum-left back Jan Durica was slow reacted to Vera's run, allowing the Paraguayan enough room to one-time te ball with the outside of his right foot, curling a shot into the left side of Durica's net.

World Cup 2010 Slovakia Vs. Paraguay: Determining With Team Will Play To Its Strengths

Sunday’s early match may be the most important in determining which teams go through Group F. While it has been assumed that Italy will win this group, a win by Paraguay ahead of their Thursday match with New Zealand could put them on-track for seven points and the group’s top seed. Slovakia, on the other hand, need three points if they are to stay in position to advance ahead of a third round match against Italy.

Those needs belie two teams that are very evenly matched. Paraguay’s wealth of attacking talent is offset by Slovakia’s strength in midfield, with the potential deciding factor being the team’s willingness to use their strengths. A conservative approach from their coach kept Paraguay from using their firepower in their first match, while a formation chance away from four midfielders mitigated Slovakia’s advantages against New Zealand.

Paraguay, Going Forward: Gerardo Martino looks set to employ three strikers against Slovakia, a bit of irony as the switch from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 is part of the reason Slovakia failed to get their expected three points against New Zealand. It is an equally precarious move for Parguay, who are set to put Roque Santa Cruz on in place of midfielder Aureliano Torres, taking a midfielder out against a team that already had an advantage in the middle of the pitch. While moving to three strikers will help Paraguay attack a central defense that looked suspect for Slovakia against New Zealand, it will come at a huge cost.

Slovakia, Going Forward: Slovakia looks set to move back to a 4-4-2, and if they put Miroslav Stoch back into the lineup, they will have significant speed advances on the flanks. Regardless, the Slovaks will need to get a strong match from captain Marek Hamsik, who will need to win an individual battle with Paraguayan midfielder Victor Caceres. If the Napoli-man can, Slovakia can expect strong matches from Robert Vittek and Stanislav Sestak and Hamsik creates space for them.

How The Match Turns: If Paraguay places as aggressively as their pre-match formation changes hint, they could be underestimating the Slovaks, and while Gerardo Martino rarely makes such mistakes, the Slovak midfield could make him pay for not showing them similar reverence that was shown the Italians.