Alcaraz header gives South Americans shock interval lead

World Cup holders Italy were stunned by a late first-half header from Antolin Alcaraz which handed Paraguay a shock lead in Cape Town.

While the defending champions' passing was clearly superior in the first 45 minutes on a cold night in Cape Town, chances were few and far between as Paraguay held firm at the back.

Italy's lack of cutting edge was punished in the 39th minute when Alcaraz rose to head home from a free-kick.

As expected, Italy coach Marcello Lippi left Serie A's top goalscorer Antonio Di Natale on the bench, instead selecting Alberto Gilardino with Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta starting on the left of a three-man forward line.

Lippi's opposite number Gerardo Martino also opted to leave out his two highest-profile forwards in Benfica's Oscar Cardozo and Manchester City man Roque Santa Cruz. Instead, Borussia Dortmund team-mates Lucas Barrios and Nelson Valdez were deployed in attack.

A couple of crunching tackles in the opening two minutes by Paraguay's Cristian Riveros and Italy's Daniele De Rossi both resulted in no punishment before Lippi's team settled into a stylish passing game.

Claudio Morel had to be alert to stop Simone Pepe pouncing on a dangerous ball at the back post in the sixth minute as Italy set the early pace.

Their passing and movement was delightful, with Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio central to most of it.

Paraguay did exert some form of pressure midway through the half with two corners, before Riccardo Montolivo broke forward for Italy but could only hit a meek shot at Justo Villar.

In the 22nd minute Aureliano Torres mis-hit a shot which only just bobbled wide of Gianluigi Buffon's Azzurri goal while further half-chances came and went for Gilardino at one end and Valdez at the other.

Italy were stunned six minutes before the break when Paraguay went in front from a set-piece.

Torres' launched free-kick from deep was perfectly flighted and with Fabio Cannavaro and De Rossi flailing, Alcaraz headed past Buffon.