Paraguay 0-0 Japan (after extra-time)
Penalty kick: Paraguay won 5-3
MATCH SUMMARY
# Man of the Match: Nelson Haedo Valdez - The Borussia Dortmund striker was an unexpected absentee from the starting line-up having impressed in South Africa so far and was one of the few players to look dangerous after appearing on the hour mark. As well as supplying clever movement, Valdez also scored his penalty and should be reinstated to the team when Paraguay face either Spain or Portugal in the quarter-finals.
# Paraguay verdict: While Gerardo Martino's side continued to prove resolute in defence after conceding just one goal in the group stages, they lost some of the spark that saw them finish ahead of Slovakia, New Zealand and Italy in Group F. The decision to omit Valdez was a strange one and Paraguay looked brighter after his introduction. Roque Santa Cruz looked largely lifeless and it was his replacement, Oscar Cardozo, who scored the crucial penalty. They look ill-equipped for the next round.
# Japan verdict: Gone was the side that dazzled in the defeat of Denmark. In a poor, poor game, Japan contributed to a succession of listless passes and a few missed chances. Daisuke Matsui rattled the bar in the first half but they struggled for inspiration in the final third. Having said that, few expected Japan to make it out of the group stages and a defeat on penalties in the second round is far from a disgrace for a side that struggled for form heading into the tournament. In the likes of Keisuke Honda, Yuto Nagatomo and Matsui they have players who have proved their quality on the biggest stage of all.
# Could do better: Yuichi Komano - It is desperately harsh to single out one player from this aberration of a match, but when it really, truly mattered, Komano was found wanting as he was the only player to fail to score from 12 yards.
# Stat attack: There had never been a penalty shootout at the World Cup that did not involve a European side until this game.
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