Paraguay Shines Against Slovenia - 2002-06-12

The Paraguayan national football team, despite having one player sent off in the middle of the first half and trailing 1-0 to Slovenia, defeated their opponent 3-1 and advanced to the second round of the 2002 World Cup. The first half of this match, held in Seogwipo, South Korea, ended 1-0 in favor of Slovenia. Slovenia's goal was scored in the 46th minute by Milenko Asimovic from a very difficult angle. Just minutes before this goal, a Paraguayan player named Paredes was sent off for a serious foul. In the 66th minute, Paraguay equalized with a goal from Nelson Cuevas. This goal revitalized Paraguay, and six minutes later, Roque Santa Cruz scored Paraguay's second goal. In the 81st minute, a Slovenian player named Nastja Še also received a red card from the referee. Three minutes later, Cuevas shone again, scoring with a beautifully executed shot into Slovenia's net. Paraguay finished second in Group B with 4 points, behind Spain with 9 points, and advanced to the second round. South Africa also earned 4 points and had the same goal difference as Paraguay, but Paraguay was granted advancement due to scoring one more goal overall. Paraguay's opponent in the second round will be the strong German team.