Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

After 60 years, Spain in semis

Villa’s goal, Casillas’ save beat Paraguay

Barry Wilner Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG – David Villa has millions of friends in Spain these days and two pretty good ones in South Africa – the goalposts at Ellis Park.

Villa banked in the only goal of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the World Cup quarterfinals off not one post, but both of them. Villa took the tournament scoring lead with his fifth goal, in the 83rd minute.

Villa’s goal sent Spain into the World Cup’s final four for the first time in 60 years and highlighted a chaotic second half.

Now Spain faces Germany on Wednesday in Durban – a reprise of its 1-0 win in the Euro 2008 final.

“Every game is different,” Villa added. “I’m sure Germany isn’t happy we got through.”

One night after penalty kicks decided Uruguay’s shootout win over Ghana, they were critical in Spain’s victory as a somewhat subdued match suddenly got wild in a two-minute span of the second half.

Gerard Pique pulled down Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo in the penalty area on a corner kick, earning a yellow card and giving Cardozo a penalty kick.

The striker who ended his team’s shootout win over Japan was denied brilliantly this time by Iker Casillas, who dived left to block Cardozo’s low kick.

Seconds later, Villa broke free behind the defense and was hauled down by Antolin Alcaraz, who drew a yellow card. Xabi Alonso went to the penalty spot and sent a wicked drive into the net.

But referee Carlos Batres of Guatemala waved off the goal, saying a Spain player entered the area too soon.

Given a second chance, keeper Justo Villar guessed correctly to stop the penalty kick. He also knocked the rebound away from Cesc Fabregas before defender Paulo Da Silva made a leg save at the goal line.