Paraguay the Dark Horse at the 2010 World Cup: Draw with Italy, Overwhelm Spain in Quarter-Final

The 2010 World Cup became a means of proving the quality of the Paraguay national football team. Status as a dark horse team, Paraguay played well and made it difficult for big teams in South Africa.

Gerardo Martino's team is able to compete with teams whose level is above them. Paraguay has even been able to keep up with the top teams that won the 2010 World Cup.

Paraguay Draw with Italy

Paraguay underwent the first match with a tough challenge. They must start the journey of the 2010 World Cup against defending champions Italy.

However, Gerardo Martino managed to convince his players to appear confident against Italy. As a result, Paraguay can match the game of the four-time World Cup champion.

Paraguay could even break into Italy's tight defense in the 39th minute through Antolin Alcaraz's header. However, Paraguay's slick appearance only resulted in one point after Daniele De Rossi scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute.

Group Winners and Eliminate Italy

A draw against Paraguay is of course not a good result for Italy. Moreover, Marcello Lippi's squad is the defending champion.

But the draw against Paraguay in fact had an impact on the next two games. Italy again swallowed a draw in the second match and even lost in the third match against Slovakia.

While Paraguay managed to come out with the status of the winner of Group F with a collection of five points. Paraguay did not even swallow a single defeat in the Group F Phase.

After a draw against Italy, Paraguay managed to win against Slovakia and draw against New Zealand. Slovakia, who won in the final match officially accompanied Paraguay as runners up while getting rid of defending champion Italy at the bottom of the standings.