Preview: Paraguay v Spain

Spain seem to be moving ominously through the gears, having surprisingly lost their South Africa 2010 opener to Switzerland, whereas Paraguay looked desperately limited in their penalty-shootout victory over Japan.

That was the South Americans' second consecutive goalless draw and the third game in a row where they have kept a clean sheet, but it is at the other end where they have had problems, having found the net only three times in four games.

However, Martino has defended his misfiring forwards - Roque Santa Cruz, Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez - saying: "One mustn't be too hard on our strikers. If they aren't scoring well, maybe it's because the balls aren't arriving fast enough to them."

Martino believes the negative approach of Paraguay's opponents has not helped and that Saturday's game with Spain will be more open.

"I hope that our next opponents will allow us to play differently and it won't be simply down to us to dictate the game," he said. "Against Spain we should have more space, because they play to win."

Spain striker Fernando Llorente, who made a major difference in the 1-0 win over Portugal when he came on as a 58th-minute substitute for Fernando Torres, promised that La Roja would not be altering their tactics.

"We are not going to change anything that we are doing," he said. "I think we need to continue with our style of play.

"I'm sure we will find a Paraguay team that will keep their defence tight, but we are used to this. I think we are capable of being precise and winning the game."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque reckons that his side are now on track to end their 60-year wait for a second World Cup semi-final place and are capable of winning the trophy for the first time.

"We want to make history," he continued. "The players are motivated. It's a long championship, but I think we are able to do it."

Paraguay will have midfielder Victor Caceres back after suspension, but that is unlikely to be enough to halt the Spanish bandwagon, especially with striker David Villa having netted four goals in his last three games.

source:wc2010