Afghanistan’s adventure ended by Paraguay

The Central Asian side took the lead in the first half but lapses in concentration cost them dearly in extra-time, with Paraguay sealing the win to book a quarter-final against either Thailand or France, who meet on Friday.

Afghanistan keeper Javad Safari stayed sharp in the early minutes to deny Emerson Mendez and Adolfo Salas, before the Central Asian side had a look at goal through Farzad Mahmoodi and Akbar Kazemi, whose tame effort failed to trouble Paraguayan keeper Giovanni Gonzales.

Despite being tournament debutants, Afghanistan went toe to toe with the South Americans with Gonzales forced into making a diving save to keep out Mehran Gholami’s attempt in the ninth minute.

Paraguay had their fair share of chances in front of goal but Pedro Pascottini, Hugo Martinez and Arnaldo Baez failed to trouble Safari and his teammates, who showed astute defending.

The South Americans paid the price for their missed chances as Afghanistan showed their clinical side to take the lead in the 15th minute through Hossaini, who slotted home Mahdi Norowzi’s set-piece.

Safari continued to keep Paraguay at bay, denying Baez in the 17th minute as Afghanistan took their lead into the break.

The second half began at a high tempo with Afghanistan coming close to doubling their lead in the 23rd minute, forcing Gonzales to deny Safari and Omid Qanbari, while the Paraguayan keeper’s effort from just above the arc five minutes later was saved by Safari.

However, Paraguay’s perseverance was rewarded in the 30th minute when Jorge Espinoza fed Francisco Martinez to score with a nutmeg past Safari.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the remaining minutes, forcing the tie to go into extra-time.

Afghanistan fell behind for the first time after conceding a free-kick as Mendez converted Adolfo Salas’s set-piece into the top right corner in the 41st minute.

A lapse in concentration saw Paraguay go 3-1 up a minute later after a mistake from Gholami allowed Martinez the space to feed Espinoza for the finish.