FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°24

 

Extrovert Chilavert keeps Paraguay dream alive Goalkeeper Jose Chilavert was at his extrovert and brilliant best as Paraguay held out against Spain in a 0-0 draw that keeps the South Americans’ World Cup dream alive.

The draw means Paraguay go into their final match against Nigeria, who are already guaranteed the top place in group D, knowing victory will put them in the second round. Spain in contrast must beat Bulgaria and hope that Nigeria take at least a point from the Paraguayans.

Despite overwhelming territorial possession the highly-rated Spanish only carved out one clear-cut chance in the match and when it came, on the stroke of half-time, Chilavert was there to deny them. Real Madrid striker Raul wriggled free of his marker Carlos Gamarra and fired a low shot to the keeper’s right from inside the six-yard box that seemed destined for the back of the net.Instinctively Chilavert threw himself to the ground and got just enough of his hand on the ball to stop it crossing the line and allow stopper Celso Ayala to clear.

It was the 32-year-old keeper’s second spectacular save of the night after he had tipped Spanish striker Pizzi’s powerful header over the top in the 21st minute.” That is what I am there for, ” Chilavert, who for once seemed prepared to let his performance do the talking for him, said.” I was just doing my job. “

Paraguay’s Brazilian coach Paulo Cesar Carpeggiani paid tribute to the way his team held out. ” It is up to us now whether we reach the 2nd round. ” But he acknowledged that beating Nigeria would be tough for a team that has yet to score a goal in France 98.” Nigeria is the strongest team in the group and we will have to give everything to beat them. “

Spanish coach Javier Clemente tipped Nigeria to beat the Paraguayans and give his side a chance of squeezing through. Spain, who had made five changes after the 3-2 defeat by Nigeria last week, looked like they meant business as they dominated the opening exchanges. But Clemente’s remodelled line-up revealed nerves when the Paraguayans suddenly burst into life with a lively spell that nearly yielded two goals in the space off three minutes.

First, Barcelona defender Sergi was forced to clear Aristides Rojas header off the line in the tenth minute. Then two minutes later, a sweeping move out of defence finished with a lunging Rojas just failing to connect with Jorge Campos’ cross from the left.

Shaken, Spain hit back strongly.

Guillermo Amor’s powerful drive from the edge of the box looked goalbound before it struck Celso Ayala painfully in the face just before Chilavert denied Pizzi. Ayala was lucky to escape with a yellow card after scything into Pizzi from behind just after the half-hour mark. The central defender then had to head clear over his own bar from the resulting Fernando Hierro free-kick.

With the Spanish repeatedly failing to hit the target, the irrepressible Chilavert was clearly begin to feel a little bored in the Paraguayan goal. After watching one effort sail high and wide, he paused to pinch a goal-line photographer’s cap.

That was not clearly not enough excitment for a Friday night and when the impressive Miguel Benitez won a 39th free-kick on the edge of the Spanish area, the 32-year-old went charging up the field to take it.

It could all have gone badly wrong as his left-foot drive cannoned into the wall. But the ball ricocheted to Ayala and it was the Spanish who had to heave a sigh of relief as the defender’s shot was deflected for a corner.

Three minutes later, Rojes should have put Paraguay ahead. Running on to a long through ball he chested the ball past Abelardo and was set to fire home from close range when Carlos Aguilera clipped the ball off his foot with a perfectly-timed interception.

After being denied by Chilavert before the break, the Spanish picked up exactly where they left off. Chilavert had to be alert to tip Luis Enrique’s fierce half-volley over the bar in the 56th minute then wagged his finger at the midfielder for having the cheek to try and beat him at the near post.

But the Paraguayans always looked dangerous on the break and it took a superb save from Andoni Zubizarreta to deny Miguel Benitez in the 63rd minute when the lively midfielder broke cut in from the left and hit a right-foot shot that was bound for the top corner. The quality stop will help restore the veteran Spanish keeper’s reputation after the horrific blunder that cost his side a point against Nigeria.

Luis Enrique tested Chilavert again with a 68th minute header but that was to prove Spain’s last chance to beat him all evening.