Oliver Neuville picked the perfect time to net his first ever World Cup goal today, scoring two minutes from time in a 1-0 win over Paraguay to send Germany through to the quarter-finals.
As the clock ticked down towards extra-time following a uninspiring encounter Bernd Schneider raced down the right flank and crossed for Neuville, who unhesitatingly smashed the ball home past Paraguay's veteran keeper Jose Luis Chilavert.
The Paraguayans were out to cause a colossal shock with a quarter-final in Ulsan against Mexico or the United States at stake on June 21st.
But Neuville caught them cold with his goal which sent the three-time world champions through.
Paraguay's misery deepened in injury-time as they had Roberto Acuna red-carded.
Germany thus kept their amazing record intact of reaching at least the last eight at all post-war tournaments.
AFP