Roque Santa Cruz’s late penalty kick lifts Paraguay over North Korea 1-0 in World Cup warmup

Paraguay gets 1-0 WCup warmup win over North Korea

NYON, Switzerland — Roque Santa Cruz converted a penalty kick in the 86th minute, giving Paraguay a 1-0 win over North Korea on Saturday in a World Cup warmup.

Santa Cruz struck his spot kick high to the left of goalkeeper Ri Myong Guk after substitute Nam Song Chol was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball.

Paraguay hit a post twice in a seven-minute spell midway through the second half.

Choe Kum Chol had North Korea’s best chance in the 35th but lifted his shot over the bar.

North Korea was without Japan-based An Yong Hak and Jong Tae Se. Clubs do not have to release players to national teams until Monday.

Paraguay plays Ireland in Dublin on May 25, the same day North Korea meets fellow World Cup qualifier Greece in Austria.

At the World Cup, Paraguay faces plays defending champion Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand in Group F.

North Korea is grouped with Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G, what many think is the most difficult group.