Paraguay 2 Trinidad & Tobago 0: Trinidad & Tobago predictably failed in their bid to reach the World Cup knockout phase.

Yet, while they might not have won a match, or even scored a goal, the Soca Warriors will leave Germany with a smile, their dignity and a host of new friends.

A 25th-minute Brent Sancho own goal and a late Nelson Cuevas effort gave Paraguay the win they just about deserved but there was no disgrace in defeat for the men from the Caribbean, far from it.

Throughout the magical last fortnight, Trinidad have pushed themselves to the limit, a fact recognised by the notoriously hard-to-please German supporters, who backed Leo Beenhakker's men to the hilt.

But the goal they craved would not come, not even after 35-year-old Trinidad hero Russell Latapy was introduced late on to cap a fine career on the World Cup stage.

Instead, the final whistle only brought an initial sense of disappointment, although that soon gave way to more positive reflection as their hosts made them aware of how much their sterling deeds had been appreciated.