(AET, Paraguay win 5-3 on pens)

Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo scored the clinching penalty as the tournament’s first shoot-out saw Paraguay overcome Japan. Yuichi Komano struck the crossbar with Japan’s third penalty, while all others were converted.

The match itself was a tight, often dull affair with chances at a premium throughout, and a penalty shoot-out a likelihood from a long way out.

On 20 minutes, Paraguay’s Lucas Barrios had the first chance of normal time when he turned quickly in the penalty box and hit a right-foot shot goalwards only for Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima to save with his right leg. Daisuke Matsui hammered a dipping 25-yard drive against the crossbar in the next attack.

Kawashima continued to be the busier keeper and in the first period of extra-time rushed out to block a right-foot shot from lively Paraguay substitute Nelson Valdez. But he was unable to prevent extra-time substitute Cardozo from becoming the shoot-out hero.