PARAGUAY WORLD CUP HISTORY

It usually has been the first round and out for Paraguay. Now it has become the second round and out. The South Americans finally made it out of their group at the 1986 World Cup, behind a pair of former New York Cosmos -- Julio Cesar Romero and Roberto Cabanas. The Paraguayans edged Iraq, 1-0, tied host Mexico, 1-1 and tied Belgium, 2-2, before losing to England and Gary Lineker in the second round, 3-0.

In France, the South Americans managed to reach the second round despite playing two draws in group play (a pair of scoreless ties with Bulgaria and Spain), plus a 3-1 win over Nigeria. They held out as long as they could against eventual champion France in the second round, losing on a "golden goal," 2-1.

In 2002, Paraguay had its first-round unbeaten streak snapped through a 3-1 loss to group champ Spain, but managed to move on to the next round behind a 1-1-1 mark and second-place finish. Germany showed the Paraguayans the exit door in a 1-0 win in the second round.