Paraguay got a victory in their second game of the competition. A quiet game that started slowly, improved a bit in the middle but tailed off towards the end.
Both teams had fashioned an attempt or two at goal prior to Torres’ strike. Oscar Ruiz saw his attempt saved at the near post by Bolivian goalkeeper Luis Cardenas before Darwin Rios had an attempt after some good work from Diego Hoyos.
The only goal of the game arrived on 24 minutes; the Bolivian defence failed to close down Iván Torres who smashed it with the left foot and saw his wonderful shot go in off the post.
The goal gave the game a bit of a spark and Paraguay started to play better because of it, possibly due to some increased confidence and relieved pressure. They had a few chances to extend their lead but none of these were particularly clear-cut. Diego Benítez was particularly pleasing in these stages of the game as were both the Ruiz’s: Oscar and Nelson.
Bolivia had a few shots of their own; Diego Hoyos did well to gain enough space for his chance which came a few minutes after Paraguay’s Raúl Cáceres launched a vicious effort from distance which went wide.
In the second half, Paraguay continued to have a slight upper hand without dominating to a huge extent and Oscar Ruiz continued to impress. For the last twenty minutes both teams appeared to tire and the chances became few and far between. There was however one incident of note arriving in added time; Darwin Rios strongly appealed for a penalty for what he claimed was a foul by the goalkeeper. Replays suggested it was a dive.
Notable performances / players to watch next time
Bolivia
Diego Hoyos (Free Agent): Without excelling, he was Bolivia’s most promising attacking player and looked the most likely to get them back into the game.
Jorge Toco (Oriente Petrolero): Had a good game at centre-back, will be aggrieved at failing to close down Torres but it was a wonder-goal to be fair to him. Looks technically comfortable on the ball as well dribbling out of defence on more than one occasion.
Paraguay
Diego Benítez (Olimpia): Was taken off after 53mins but before that was arguably the best player on the pitch. Constantly caused Bolivia’s defence problems and popped up a few times with shots and crosses. He had a fairly good game against Brazil last time and he stepped it up for this one.
Oscar Ruiz (Free agent): Like Benítez, was regularly at the centre of Paraguay’s attacks and was perhaps unlucky not to get himself on the score sheet. Look out for him next time.
Iván Torres (Cerro Porteño): It was a great goal which displayed great technique and won the game for his team. He also played quite well for the rest of the game and made good contributions to attacks. 
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