Spain's striker David Villa reacts after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Paraguay vs Spain on July 3, 2010 at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg. -Photo by AFP

JOHANNESBURG: David Villa scored with seven minutes left Saturday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Paraguay and its first ever appearance in the World Cup semifinals.

The ball fell to Villa in the area after substitute Pedro Rodriguez hit the post. The Spain striker took one touch before curling a shot in off the far post.

Villa’s tournament-leading fifth goal set up a semifinal match against Germany in Durban on Wednesday.

Paraguay’s defense mostly kept Spain’s vaunted attack at bay, and both teams’ best chance to win in normal time came from the penalty spot.

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved a 59th-minute kick by Oscar Cardozo. Paraguay captain Justo Villar matched him two minutes later, but only after referee Carlos Batres made Xabi Alonso retake an initially successful kick because of encroachment by several teammates.

Substitute Cesc Fabregas was brought down by Villar as he pushed the rebound past the goalkeeper, but Batres waved away appeals for another penalty.

Paraguay almost equalized in the 89th as Casillas stopped a shot by Lucas Barrios before punching away Roque Santa Cruz’s attempt from the rebound. Villa then had a chance to make it 2-0 at the other end after a breakaway but couldn’t convert.

— Lineups:

Paraguay: Justo Villar, Dario Veron, Claudio Morel, Oscar Cardozo, Edgar Barreto (Enrique Vera, 64), Antolin Alcaraz, Jonathan Santana, Paulo Da Silva, Victor Caceres (Lucas Barrios, 84), Christian Riveros, Nelson Valdez (Roque Santa Cruz, 72).

Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila, Carles Puyol (Carlos Marchena, 84), Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Pedro Rodriguez, 75), Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Fernando Torres (Cesc Fabregas, 56).