World Cup - Spain 3 South Africa 2

South Africa were minutes away from the second round of the World Cup but goals scored by ten-man Paraguay in an amazing second half fight back against Slovenia saw the African side fail to make history.

South Africa have never reached the knockout round of a World Cup before and failed after scoring one goal less than Paraguay.

Even losing to Spain did not mater – the decisive blow to their World Cup hopes came with Paraguayan sub Nelson Cuevas scoring a third goal in a win against Slovenia.

Raul scored what proved to be the winner less than two minutes after Lucas Radebe had equalized with a headed goal at a free kick.

Joaquin hit in an angled cross for Raul to hang in the air and head his second goal of the game and a tied South Africa could not recover.

Spain were gifted an early lead when South African goalkeeper Andre Arendse advanced to collect a through ball from Gaizka Mendieta but spilled the ball after a bobble to release it at Raul’s feet and the Spanish striker carried the ball away and stuck it into an empty net.

Spain coach Jose Camacho made eight changes from the win against Slovenia that sealed their place in the second round. But they started the game at a high tempo and dominated the opening few minutes.

MacBeth Sibaya hit a long range shot wide in the 10th minute after the Spanish defence failed to clear a cross but this heralded a tremendous passage of play down the right wing by Joaquin.

Several times he accelerated down the wing and forced Arendse to catch a cross in the 20th minute.

Sibusiso Zuma seconds later hit a low drive on the run that goalkeeper Iker Casillas tipped wide.

Arendse made amends for his earlier mistake by clawing away one-handed a Fernando Morientes header following more good work to run and cross by Joaquin.

After not taking that chance, South Africa punished Spain.

Siyabonga Nomvete headed a cross from the right back to goal and Benni McCarthy slid into the divert the ball in off Casillas.

Gaizka Mendieta gave Spain a half-time lead by curling in a free kick from the left hand side of the penalty area after Raul had cleverly worked a defender away from the defensive wall to create the gap for the shot.