Spain take the bull by its horns

Captain Fernando Hierro made the game safe with a penalty in the 82nd minute. Spain’s win leaves them top of the group on six points and ensures the habitual under-achievers a place in the last 16.

Paraguay have one point, level with South Africa, who meet Slovenia in their Group B match on Saturday. The Slovenians have no points.

With 10 minutes, Spain’s World Cup nightmares seemed to have resurfaced when Puyol finished off Paraguay’s first attack of the game by scoring an own goal.

Larsson’s brace

Kobe: Striker Henrik Larsson scored twice as Sweden came from a goal down to beat World Cup Group F rivals Nigeria 2-1 on Friday and eliminate the African side from the tournament. Nigeria, who lost their opening match 1-0 to Argentina, were celebrating when Julius Aghahowa headed them into a 27th minute lead and lit up the stage with his trademark series of back flips. But Larsson stole his thunder with an equaliser after 35 minutes before winning and converting a 62nd-minute penalty which lifted Sweden to the top of the group. (Reuters)