Champion Saved By a Tie

Images by El Universo

Paraguay payed the consequence of its goalkeeper giving in a draw against Italy, the defending Champion of the FIFA World Cup 2006. Paraguay was in the front of the score with an effective header from player Antolin Alcaraz in the debut from both teams of Group F. Paraguayan player Alcaraz surpassed both Italian players Daniele De Rossi and captain Fabio Cannavaro after a corner kick from Aureliano Torres in the minute 39. But, at the 63 minute, the error of Paraguay's goalkeeper was committed after a bad exit so that Daniele De Rossi took the advantage to put the equalizer. After the tie, Italy attacked more and more effectively troubling the ability of Villar to measure the ball's travel.

But, even though the Italian national team attacked more, the team lacked the offensive vocation into scoring the goal to widen the result. With this tie, the Paraguayan team breathes air but still pending the games from New Zealand and Slovakia into what is going to happen because both teams are not that easy. The bad news for Italy came about the early back injury of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had to be substituted in the second half, substituting for Federico Marchetti. The rain and the cold weather froze both teams ability to create many different dangerous situation of goal, but it gave both teams lack of ideas. This game resulted in good tactical scheme from both teams and very well done job from both teams.

Both teams managed to play with an air ball at all times so they paid much attention to the direction of the ball. Overall, Italy couldn't penetrated much into the defense, which in most of the match very difficult to get through. The Italians centers were very well rejected by either the defense or Justo Villar. While Paraguay attacked more or less, which the Italian defense seemed rather weak but focused to not make the same mistake again. After the Italian goal, Paraguay had difficulty to recompose when it came to the defense and their offense.