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An own goal from Paraguay captain Carlos Gamarra in the 4th minute, from a David Beckham cross into the penalty area, forced Gamarra to touch the ball past his keeper and into his own net to gift England an early goal.
England had the majority of possession and chances in the first period and, along with the injury to Paraguay keeper Justo Villar in the early minutes of the game, England had a host of opportunities on goal which they failed to convert.
Paraguay only had one real attempt on goal in the first-half, a screaming volley from Nelson Valdez in the last minute of the half that went just wide, but England keeper Paul Robinson seemed to have it covered.
Paraguay came out for the second-half with far more attacking intent, and started to close down the space that England had in the first-half, with some tough tackles coming in
Owen was taken-off for Stewart Downing in the 55th minute, with Joe Cole moving up to join Peter Crouch in attack.
Cole had no problems moving to a new position and almost immediately it paid dividends, but his shot was saved by the Paraguay substitute goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla.
Paredes almost levelled for Paraguay after Robinson could only parry away a shot, but as Robinson was charging towards him, his volley went high.
Paraguay were now very much in the ascendancy, with Valdez almost getting through the England defence again a couple of minutes later, but yet again was crowded out by the England back-four.
Cole was substituted for Owen Hargreaves, after Cole took a couple of knocks in the 83rd minute, to try and bring some stability to midfield and it seemed to work, with both Crouch and Lampard having shots saved.
Paraguay defended well under the late pressure from England, but Paraguay forced a late flourish which saw England players scrambling to clear the ball and both sides did well not to concede in the dying minutes.
England head coach Sven Goran Eriksson said after the match: "We suffered a lot (from the heat)and I think this knocked us a little bit in the second half, but the most important thing was to get the three points, and we got it, suffering a bit."