Celso Ayala had scored in the first minute for Paraguay and Jose Cardozo put the icing on the cake with an 86th minute strike.

The Nigerians, who had already won the Group, made seven changes to their side and paid the price by conceding the fastest goal in the tournament so far.

But they quickly equalised through Wilson Oruma in the 10th minute and dominated the match for long spells before Benitez and then Cardozo won the match for the Paraguayans.

Cardozo should have made the game safe in the 75th minute but somehow managed to fire wide of an empty net after goalkeeper Peter Rufai had lost the ball just outside his area.

The win wasjust reward for the South Americans, who outfought the much more talented Nigerians to reach the next stage for only the second time in their history.

Paraguay knew they had to win to qualify and began in the best possible way when defender Ayala powerfully headed a free kick past Rufai in the very first minute as the defence stood and watched.

But the Nigerians, nicknamed Super Eagles, simply stepped up a gear and deservedly equalised when Oruma escaped the Paraguayan defence to slide home a cross from five metres out.

The Africans continued to dominate in the first half and flamboyant Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert was forced to make three saves in quick succession.

First he pushed aside a 20 metre shot from Sunday Oliseh and then parryied a powerful Taribo West from the resulting corner. Minutes later he did very well to keep out a fierce 20-metre shot from Rashidi Yekini.

But Nigeria seemed to lose interest in the second half, putting more pressure on the defenders and Rufai, who made afine save in the 51st minute from Hugo Brizuela. Three minutes later Ben Iroha had to clear the ball off the Nigerian line.

Paraguay now meet France in the second round on Sunday.