World Cup - Germany 1 Paraguay 0

Germany scored in the 88th minute to reach the quarter finals.

Bernd Schneider clipped in a cross first time to the near post after a build-up on the right wing and Swiss-born Oliver Neuville got across marker Celso Ayal at the neat post to hit across goal on target with a crisp half-volley.

The goal won a stale game which Paraguay lacked the energy to dominate.

After thrilling games in the group stage the World Cup finals reverted to type as soon as the knockout stage was reached and the two sides Soegwipo could have moved straight to extra time for all the action the regulation 90 minutes produced until Neuville’s late winner.

With so much at stake the intensity of the game was drained from the start by both sides failing to take the initiative.

Germany dominated the end of the game but did not create real chances and Paraguay simply hung on for extra time.

The Germans started well and Michael Ballack started in midfield and he was able to flick a Neuville corner kick at goal on eight minutes and then hit a shot from distance wide of goal.

Francisco Arce tested Oliver Kahn with a free kick which the goalkeeper punched away on 22 minutes and then Paraguay had their best chance of the game.

In the 36th minute centre back Ayala was unmarked to volley wide from in front of goal after a free kick was not cleared properly by the Germans.

Substitute Jorge Campos – who replaced Roque Santa Cruz on the half hour mark – was able to find space as the German four-man defence struggled to pick up runners and his shot on 36 minutes again saw Kahn punch clear.

Germany switched to a three-man defence for the second half and effectively locked dup the game with Sebastian Kehl very impressive on his introduction to the side.

But Paraguay were able to hang on for what looked a certain draw and extra time because they failed to provide top scorer Miroslav Klose with any good crosses.

Campos tested Kahn with a 49th minute shot and in the 62nd minute Ballack repeated his corner kick near post header for Jose Luis Chilavert to save.

Paraguay saw defence Clarence Acuna red carded for elbowing Michael Ballack in the face after the German star fouled him from behind in midfield to earn a booking.

Germany will be confident of defeating Mexico or the US in the last eight and will have Carsten Ramelow, Chrsitian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann back from suspension as they move ever closer to the final.