Paraguay and New Zealand will be trying to write their own pieces of World Cup history when they meet in their final Group F match on Thursday.
Paraguay leads with four points and wants a win to be certain of topping the group and a gaining a smoother path to its first ever quarterfinal. Winning the group will likely set up a match in the last 16 against Denmark or Japan instead of the higher-ranked Netherlands.
Striker Roque Santa Cruz said La Albirroja “are thinking if we keep performing as well as we expect ... and keep working as hard as we are now, anything is possible.”
New Zealand has two points and must beat Paraguay -- or get a better result than Italy does against Slovakia in a simultaneous match -- to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.
At its only previous appearance, in 1982, the All Whites lost their three group matches and were outscored 2-12 on aggregate by Scotland, Soviet Union and Brazil.
This time, 78th-ranked New Zealand has stunned many by remaining unbeaten, with 1-1 draws against Slovakia and defending champion Italy.
“It’s the most incredible result we’ve had across the board,” New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said. “As a football coach, it’s a way above anything we’ve achieved in the history of the game.”
Captain Ryan Nelsen said opponents playing New Zealand don’t take anything for granted anymore.
“Probably people underestimated us, and now they’re not,” he said. “Most teams probably thought (playing New Zealand) was a banker for them. Now they know they’ll have to stand up and play well to beat us.”
Earning their first World Cup points made the Kiwis not just proud, but left them longing for even more.
“We are always daring to dream,” Herbert said. “At the World Cup anything is possible -- we’ve seen some strange results.”
Herbert was expected to stick to the same players and 5-2-3 formation that started against Slovakia and Italy, though he might bring in Tim Brown for the midfielder’s first appearance at the tournament.
The 29-year-old Brown has been recovering from surgery on a shoulder injury and might be fit again in time for the Paraguay game.
Regular goalkeeper Glen Moss is also available after suspension, but may not dislodge Mark Paston, who impressed against Italy.
Paraguay is on the brink of a fourth appearance in the last 16 of a World Cup, but are still to go beyond that stage.
The South Americans held Italy to a 1-1 draw before defeating Slovakia 2-0.
“These results have strengthened us mentally and spiritually, not just as football players but in our attitude as well,” coach Gerardo Martino said.
The Argentine coach’s team plays adventurous, attacking football, even without its top goalscorer in qualifying.
Salvador Cabanas is recovering at home after being shot in the head in a bar in Mexico City in January.
Paraguay is now led by a three-man attack of Nelson Valdez, Lucas Barrios and Santa Cruz, who missed the opening game but started in the next after finally shaking off a persistent leg injury.
The Manchester City striker was confident ahead the team’s final group match and possible following second-round tie.
“Paraguay’s never been in the World Cup quarterfinals,” Santa Cruz said. “There is always time to change history.”
