Paraguay took a massive step towards reaching the last 16 of the World Cup with a comfortable victory over Slovakia in Bloemfontein.

Striker Roque Santa Cruz returned to the starting line-up for the South Americans, while Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss made three changes from the side which drew 1-1 with New Zealand.

Santa Cruz went close to breaking the deadlock within three minutes when his shot from just outside the left edge of the area took a slight deflection and forced keeper Jan Mucha into a fine save at his near post.

Twenty minutes in Mucha collected well after Cristian Riveros rifled in a 20-yard right-foot shot after good work on the left by Nelson Valdez.

Three minutes later Lucas Barrios linked up well with Enrique Vera on the right, before flashing a 20-yard shot wide of Mucha's near post.

Four minutes later Paraguay took a well-deserved lead as the lively Barrios played in Vera just inside the area and he bent a right-foot shot beyond Mucha and into the corner of the net.

The South Americans continued to dominate after taking the lead and six minutes before the break Slovakia gave away possession in defence, with Mucha having to make a fine save with his foot to deny Santa Cruz from the edge of the area.

Slovakia attempted to show more attacking intent in the opening stages of the second half, but were unable to force Paraguay keeper Justo Villar into action.

With a little over 20 minutes to play Paraguay almost made it 2-0 as Santa Cruz ran clear down the left and his cross was headed inches wide of the near post by Vera from ten yards out.

Four minutes from time the South Americans finally made the game safe, as Aureliano Torres' free-kick into the area was not cleared and the ball eventually fell to Riveros, who lashed home a left-footer from just inside the area.

Right at the death Robert Vittek finally extended Villar, with a right-footer from 25 yards which forced the keeper into a fine tip-over, but it was far too little too late for Slovakia.