Spaniards slip closer to an early exit

By Ciaran Giles, Associated Press, 6/19/98

Spain's Francisco Morientes tussles with Paraguay's Julio Cesar Enciso (16) and Edgar Aguilera. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) - Spain, strongly favored to reach the second round at least, stood on the brink of first-round elimination from the World Cup after a 0-0 tie with Paraguay on Friday.

Although the Spaniards forced Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert to make several difficult saves, they could not dent his net. Following a 3-2 loss to Nigeria, the Spaniards have only one point, tied with Bulgaria, whom they play on Wednesday.

Juan Pizzi, Luis Enrique and Raul Gonzalez couldn't find the target, and the second scoreless tie for Paraguay in the tournament clinched first place in Group D for Nigeria.

Paraguay has two points and Bulgaria and Spain have one each.

Spain coach Javier Clemente made five changes after the 3-2 loss to Nigeria, when his team twice lost the lead. But Paraguay, which was held to a 0-0 tie by Bulgaria, created the first danger in the 15th minute when a low, 25-yard free kick by Miguel Angel Benitez got through the defensive wall.

The shot was confidently held by goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta, whose blunder gave Nigeria a gift goal last week.

A chance fell to Spanish striker Pizzi in the 21st minute when the Paraguayan defense failed to clear a cross. The striker headed it from 12 yards, but keeper Jose Luis Chilavert punched the ball acrobatically behind the net for a corner kick.

After Zubizarreta punched away a powerfully struck 25-yard shot from Benitez, Paraguay earned a free kick 30 yards out and Chilavert, who has scored three times for his country, moved up to take a shot at goal.

His well-hit free kick hit the defensive wall and deflected to Francisco Arce, whose shot was deflected for a corner kick.

Aristides Rojas then got through on goal, but was foiled by a well-timed tackle by Carlos Aguilera.

In the final minute of the first half, Raul wriggled clear of the defense and shot from 8 yards, only for Chilavert to dive to dive to his right to get his hand to the ball. Pizzi ran in to try and force the ball home, but Celso Ayala got in a tackle to sweep the ball away.

Early in the second half, Zubizarreta saved a low shot from the ever-dangerous Benitez and then dived full length to his left to keep out a curling shot from the same player in the 63rd minute.

At the other end, Chilavert pushed a shot from Luis Enrique over the crossbar.