When Paraguay’s Valdez made that gorgeous run up the left about 15 minutes in, I thought that alone was worth the price of admission.
But Paraguay played it safe. Can we blame them — can we fault any team for pacing themselves? Why risk injury and exhaustion on a match you don’t have to win? Not smart if your plan is to make it to the final, or even through the Round of 16.
Playing it safe meant Paraguay didn’t have to do anything but stop New Zealand. Which they did. The All Whites are out, going home, but they’re going home undefeated. Not eff-ing bad for a team that’s making only its 2nd appearance ever in the tournament.
New Zealand were a surprise, a delight, an astonishing story. The quality of their play, their unexpected prowess and the fact that they always gave it their all made the competition better and more thrilling for everyone. Thanks, Kiwis. See you next time.