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1/8 Final - France-Paraguay, France survives on 'Golden Goal' |
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Defender Laurent Blanc scored a golden goal in the ninth minute of the second half of overtime, the 113th minute of play, to put host nation France through to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay today.
After 90 minutes of regulation and a frantic first overtime of 15 minutes, France avoided penalty shots with a chip in the penalty area to forward David Trezeguet, who headed the ball to Blanc alone with time to set himself for the low blast from seven yards that beat goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert.
France constantly pushed forward with many shots attempted but frustratingly was unable to convert any chances, or its shots were all either blocked by Paraguayan defenders sacrificing their bodies or saved by Chilavert.
Eventually the efforts were awarded with the late goal to set up a classic quarterfinal match-up between France and Italy on Friday at 10:30 a.m. EDT at Saint-Denis.
Paraguay played a defensive style with none of the few scoring chances created coming close to being dangerous.
