Previous Encounters:
England have played Paraguay twice, winning both games. The most recent game was a
friendly in Liverpool (17th
April, 2002), which England won (4:0); with goals from Michael Owen, Danny Murphy and
Darius Vassell. Celso Ayala also put one in his own net; heading in Trevor Sinclair's
cross.
The other game was in Mexico City (17th June, 1986); the Second Round
of the Mexico 86 World Cup Finals. England won
the game (3:0), with two goals from Gary Lineker (who went on to win the Golden Boot as
the tournament's leading scorer, with six goals) and one from Peter Beardsley; before
going on to lose to Argentina in the quarter-final.
The Match:
Prince William arrived in Frankfurt to meet the English players before they kicked-off
their 2006 World Cup campaign. Forty years after his Mother, Queen Elizabeth II presented
the World Cup to England captain, Bobby Moore the young Prince is probably hoping that
David Beckham will bring the trophy back to Buckingham Palace next month.
Paraguay kicked-off from right to left and gave goalkeeper, Justo
Villar an early touch of the ball.
He had another touch within three minutes, to pick the ball out of the
net, as David Beckham's enticing free-kicked was flicked into his own goal by Paraguay
captain, Carlos Gamarra (1:0).
Things went from bad to worse, a few minutes later, as the Paraguayan
keeper was forced to leave the pitch after sliding out to make a challenge but not seeming
to connect with anyone.
Cristian Riveros forced a save from Paul Robinson in the 18th minute
as Steven Gerrard went into Marco Rodriguez' book for a late challenge; the Mexican likes
his whistle.
Actions during the rest of the half almost silenced the crowd as both
sides produced their fair share of physical challenges.
While England didn't allow Paraguay to get any playing rhythm going,
the English didn't make the most of their own movement on the wings either; by
over-hitting their crosses.
Then, with four minutes added on, Nelson Valdez came inches from
sending Paraguay into the dressing room at half-time on level terms.
Half-time: (1:0).
England got the second-half under way and spent the first part of it
sitting a little too deep; almost allowing Paraguay to play themselves back into the game.
And the longer the half wore on, the more stretched they looked.
The England fans, tiring of the lack of attacking threat England posed
to Paraguay, started a small chant for "Rooney, Rooney."
Then Stewart Downing ran on to David Beckham's pass to line Frank
Lampard up for a 'Teamgeister'.
Even a chorus of the National Anthem, in the last 10 minutes, failed
to spark life into England's midfield engine room. The second-half totally controlled by
Paraguay.
Any time added on here is like a prison sentence.
England get the three points but they won't have won many neutral fans
over.
Final Score:
England 1 - Paraguay 0
Goalscorer:
1:0 Carlos Gamarra, own goal (3)
Our Man of The Match:
Carlos Gamarra, for breaking the deadlock with a sublime header into his own net and
unwittingly giving England the three points they're so proud about.
Teams
England: (Captain David Beckham)
1 Paul Robinson; 2 Gary Neville, 3 Ashley Cole, 5 Rio Ferdinand,
6 John Terry; 4 Steven Gerrard, 7 David Beckham, 8 Frank Lampard,
11 Joe Cole; 10 Michael Owen, 21 Peter Crouch.
Paraguay: (Captain Carlos Gamarra)
1 Justo Villar; 3 Delio Toledo, 4 Carlos Gamarra, 5 Julio Cesar Caceres, 21 Denis Caniza;
6 Carlos Bonet, 10 Roberto Acuna, 13 Carlos Paredes, 16 Cristian Riveros; 9 Roque Santa
Cruz, 18 Nelson Valdez.
Substitutions:
8 Mins (Paraguay) - 22 Aldo Bobadilla in for 1 Justo Villar
56 Mins (England) - 20 Stewart Downing in for 10 Michael Owen
68 Mins (Paraguay) - 23 Nelson Cuevas on for 6 Carlos Bonet
82 Mins (Paraguay) - 2 Jorge Nunez on for 3 Delio Toledo
82 Mins (England) - 16 Owen Hargreaves on for 11 Joe Cole
3 Yellow
Cards:
19 Mins - Steven Gerrard (England)
22 Mins - Nelson Valdez (Paraguay)
63 Mins - Peter Crouch (England)
