Villa nears Spanish record

Johannesburg - David Villa edged closer to a Spanish record with his game-breaking goal in the European champions' 1-0 win over Paraguay to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Villa became the tournament's leading scorer with his fifth goal to crack the Paraguayan defence seven minutes from time.

Spain will now play Germany in the last four in Durban on Wednesday.

It was the new Barcelona man's 43rd goal in his 63rd international and puts him just one goal behind Raul's 44 in 102 games as Spain's all-time leading scorer.

"Finishing as the top scorer is the least of my concerns," said Villa. "The important thing is that we get to the final, whether through me scoring or someone else.

"I'm happy to score the goals but I'm happier if the team wins."

Villa, 28, has already become the top marksman for Spain in World Cup history with eight goals, leaving behind Spanish greats Emilio Butragueno, Fernando Hierro, Fernando Morientes and Raul, who all netted five times.

With Liverpool strike partner Fernando Torres again failing to make an impression - he was substituted after 56 minutes following his fifth scoreless appearance - Villa goes from strength to strength.

Villa's late intervention saved Spain from the anxiety of being drawn into extra time and possibly a penalty shootout with the tenacious South Americans after a sensational exhange of missed penalties midway through the second half.

The game burst into life in the 59th minute when Paraguay were awarded a penalty and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique was yellow carded for holding on to Oscar Cardozo's arm.

But Cardozo's shot was pounced on by Iker Casillas and as play swept upfield Spain were awarded penalty of their own after Antoin Alcaraz brought down Villa.

Xavi Alonso beat Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar, but Guatemalan referee Carlos Batres ordered it to be retaken after premature Spanish encroachment into the penalty area.

Alonso's second spot-kick was saved by Villar, much to the jubilation of the Paraguayan players.

It was then left to Villa, who joined Barcelona just before the World Cup in a 40 million euro (49.4 million dollars), four-year deal from Valencia, to settle the issue once again.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta played in Barcelona teammate Pedro, whose shot cannoned off the left post and rebounded out to Villa, whose volley also ricocheted off the right post, but this time the ball spun into the net for the winner.

Villa has become one of the stars of this World Cup, scoring twice in Spain's 2-0 win over Honduras, the opening goal in the 2-1 victory over Chile, and the winner against Portugal in the round-of-16 before his latest strike against Paraguay.