Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties): The Blue Samurai colours dominate the crowd inside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as Japan convert locals and the world, alike, to their brand of quick, skilful play
Likewise, Paraguay are awash with international respect for their unbeaten dominance of Group F and kick off as favourites, though neither team have ever been beyond the last 16 of a World Cup
Paraguay shade the early possession and chances despite Japan's five-man midfield and the threat of Keisuke Honda - scorer of a Ronaldo-esque free-kick and maker of Shinji Okazaki's goal against Denmark
The game comes alive on 20 minutes as Lucas Barrios' drag-back creates a chance that Eiji Kawashima saves with his legs and Daisuke Matsui rattles the Paraguay crossbar moments later from long range
Matsui's effort recalls midfield partner Yasuhito Endo's goal against Denmark, 25 yards out, curling, struck with a powerful right foot but, this time, two inches too high
The match quickly dies down again, though, with Roque Santa Cruz and Honda dragging efforts wide for either team and the highlight of the first half being Paraguay's protestations against a foul by Paulo da Silva
Paraguay go on the attack with three up front but Nestor Ortigoza overruns the ball in the Japanese box, Yuji Nakazawa blocks Edgar Benitez's shot and Cristian Riveros nods a chance straight at Kawashima
The pressure may not yield goals but unsettles the Japanese defence as first Kawashima knocks out Tanaka Tulio as both try to clear a cross and then Yuto Nagatomo is booked for a needless tug on Nelson Valdez
The game goes to extra-time but with their nations' football histories riding on the result Japan continue to be cagey and Paraguay too nervous to take the chances that come their way
The only real chance of the second half of extra-time goes to Japan but Keiji Tamada's pull back from the goal line is wayward and the game will be decided by the first penalty shoot-out of South Africa 2010
Paraguay go first from 12 yards but, after five confident penalties between the teams, Japan are the first to miss as Yuichi Komano cracks his spot kick against the crossbar
Valdez scores, Honda scores, and substitute Oscar Cardozo steps up to slot home the ball, sending Kawashima the wrong way and sending Paraguay through to their first World Cup quarter-final
Spain 1-0 Portugal: Spain enjoy the better of the opening exchanges with Fernando Torres and David Villa both testing Portugal keeper Eduardo, here out-jumping Carles Puyol, but he is equal to the task
After 21 minutes Portugal finally test Spain keeper Iker Casillas as Tiago tries his luck from distance but the Real Madrid man ensures the match stays goalless at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town
Despite enjoying most of the possession Spain are struggling to break down the Portuguese and Sergio Ramos's frustration is all too evident as he fails to break the deadlock, leaving the game 0-0 at the break
Unbearable tension is not restricted to the stadium and in the Spanish city of Valencia Spanish and Portuguese fans can barely bring themselves to look as another chance goes begging
Portugal had hoped that former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo would be a major threat but he struggles to make an impact and frequently cuts a frustrated figure in Cape Town
The match continues in similar fashion after half-time, with Spain controlling possession and Portugal trying to hit them on the break before, with just under 30 minutes to play, David Villa finally opens the scoring
Villa, the best player on show on Tuesday night, wheels away to celebrate what proves to be the goal that sends Spain into the last eight, where they will face Paraguay
A disgruntled Ronaldo is left to reflect on what might have been as he walks off the pitch with Spanish players celebrating their passage to the last eight behind him
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