World Cup Result: Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay

Paraguay took a big step towards a place in the last 16 with a stylish victory over a sluggish Slovakia that lifted them to the top of Group F.

A fine goal by Enrique Vera, curled in with the outside of his boot, gave the South Americans the lead and Carlos Riveros made the game safe with a brilliant late strike.

With a final group match against unfancied New Zealand to come, they must now be confident of reaching the knockout stages.

For Slovakia, their inability to raise their game has left them facing an early exit - particularly as they end their group fixtures against reigning champions Italy.

Two draws in the opening matches had left the group finely poised and Paraguay took the chance to assume control by deservedly clinching their first win.

It was achieved by a textbook execution of a high-pressing game and by maximising the attacking options from their 4-3-3 formation.

The interchanges between the frontline of Vera, Barrios and Roque Santa Cruz - particularly in the first half - caused Slovakia all manner of problems.

And once again in this World Cup, it was a case of the latin brand of short, sharp passing and excellent movement dominating the more rigid European style.

For the first half an hour, Paraguay attacked at will - a deflected Santa Cruz shot brought a fine save from Jan Mucha, Paulo da Silva was inches away from a teasing cross and Cristian Riveros fired in a low shot from outside the box.

Exquisite interplay between Vera and Barrios saw the latter shoot just over before Valdez also fizzed an effort too high.

The breakthrough came on 27 minutes when a sublime Barrios pass split the defence and Vera curled the ball into the corner of the goal with the outside of the boot.

Only then did Slovakia stir and finally created a chance when a corner found Kornel Salata unmarked but he headed over the bar.

Paraguay immediately hit back and almost doubled their advantage after sloppy Slovakian defending let in Santa Cruz, whose low shot was kept out by the foot of keeper Mucha.

After the break, the Paraguayans appeared to play within themselves - sometimes a dangerous policy with such a slender lead to defend.

But Slovakia's lack of invention, flair and creativity was apparent as still they failed to exert any sustained pressure, a Stanislav Sestak cross that evaded Robert Vittek summing up the ineffectiveness of their play.

By contrast, when Paraguay broke from their policy of containment, they came within inches of extending their lead as Santa Cruz delivered an accurate centre and Vera sent his downward header narrowly past the upright.

Much had been expected of Slovakia playmaker Marek Hamsik but the Napoli man was desperately disappointing throughout and he was unable to inspire his team-mates.

Hamsik and his side were unable to find any cohesion and they were finally put out of their misery when Riveros smashed in a fierce drive from the edge of the box.

And while Paraguay have virtually secured their passage out of the group - they need only a point from their final match against New Zealand - Slovakia's failure to get out of first gear has put them on the brink of elimination.bbc online.