Oliver Neuville picked the perfect time to net his first ever World Cup goal on Saturday, scoring in the 88th minute in a 1-0 win over Paraguay to send Germany through to the quarter-finals. As the clock ticked down towards extra-time Bernd Schneider raced down the right flank and crossed for Neuville, who unhesitatingly smashed the ball home past Paraguay's veteran keeper Jose Luis Chilavert.
Paraguay's misery deepened in injury-time as they had Roberto Acuna red-carded. Germany thus kept their amazing record intact of reaching at least the last eight at all post-war tournaments. In a big blow to Paraguayan hopes their Bayern München striker Roque Santa Cruz had to go off after appearing to be injured and Jorge Campos came on after 30 minutes. Afterwards Paraguay lost their attacking focus. After his introduction Campos thrashed an effort goalwards which
German keeper Oliver Kahn, celebrating his 33rd birthday, did well to parry with his left hand. Rudi Völler's Germans were pinning their hopes on Miroslav Klose, tournament top scorer with five in three opening-round matches.
Völler shuffled his pack with defender Carsten Ramelow and midfielders Christian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann all suspended, but playmaker and budding superstar Michael Ballack shrugged off a calf muscle strain to start.
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[bild1]Oliver Neuville picked the perfect time to net his first ever World Cup goal on Saturday, scoring in the 88th minute in a 1-0 win over Paraguay to send Germany through to the quarter-finals. As the clock ticked down towards extra-time Bernd Schneider raced down the right flank and crossed for Neuville, who unhesitatingly smashed the ball home past Paraguay's veteran keeper Jose Luis Chilavert.
Paraguay's misery deepened in injury-time as they had Roberto Acuna red-carded. Germany thus kept their amazing record intact of reaching at least the last eight at all post-war tournaments. In a big blow to Paraguayan hopes their Bayern München striker Roque Santa Cruz had to go off after appearing to be injured and Jorge Campos came on after 30 minutes. Afterwards Paraguay lost their attacking focus. After his introduction Campos thrashed an effort goalwards which
German keeper Oliver Kahn, celebrating his 33rd birthday, did well to parry with his left hand. Rudi Völler's Germans were pinning their hopes on Miroslav Klose, tournament top scorer with five in three opening-round matches.
Völler shuffled his pack with defender Carsten Ramelow and midfielders Christian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann all suspended, but playmaker and budding superstar Michael Ballack shrugged off a calf muscle strain to start.
