Vera gives Paraguay 1-0 lead over Slovakia after 75 minutes in Group F match at World Cup

Paraguay leads Slovakia 1-0 after 75 minutes

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Paraguay leads Slovakia 1-0 with 15 minutes to play in their Group F match at the World Cup on Sunday.

The Paraguayans broke through in the 27th minute when midfielder Enrique Vera ran onto Lucas Barrios’ pass and angled a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.

Slovakia had struggled to contain Paraguay’s three-man forward line of Barrios, Nelson Valdez and the recalled Roque Santa Cruz in the first half at Free State Stadium. Getting the start, Santa Cruz was twice denied by busy goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

Slovakia improved in the second half but couldn’t provide forwards Robert Vittek and substitute Filip Holosko with any clear openings.

Paraguay nearly doubled its lead in the 72nd minute but Vera headed wide off Santa Cruz’s cross.