Paraguay’s preparations for the World Cup in South Africa received a setback when they were beaten 2-1 by the Republic of Ireland (Paraguay 66/1 – Outright).

Kevin Doyle and Liam Lawrence were on target for the Irish, before Lucas Barrios reduced the arrears 13 minutes into the second half.

Ireland would have been going to the World Cup themselves, but for France’s controversial goal in their qualification play-off.

And they showed that they were worthy of making it to South Africa with an assured performance which left the Paraguayans with plenty to think about before they board the plane to South Africa. The World Cup betting suggests they should make it out of their group, but they could be in for a tough time.

The South Americans had plenty of the ball in the first half but could not break down their hosts until the final seconds of the half.

Midfielder Cristian Riveros, who has signed for Sunderland, was instrumental in much of Paraguay’s best moves but they rarely managed to get sight of goal.

Ireland had Roque Santa Cruz (100/1 – World Cup 2010 Top Goalscorer) to thank for their opening goal after seven minutes.

Damien Duff and Lawrence worked a free-kick move before Duff delivered the ball into the box, where defender Paul McShane attempted and failed to execute an overhead kick.

But the ball reared up off the turf and Santa Cruz instinctively headed it on to his own crossbar, allowing Doyle to pounce on the rebound and score.

Paraguay might have hit back within two minutes but midfielder Jonathan Santana’s rising shot sailed over Keiren Westwood’s crossbar.

Ireland went 2-0 up when Doyle chested down Stephen Kelly’s cross to Lawrence, who thumped it past goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla with the help of a deflection off defender Denis Caniza.

Westwood was called on for the first time in injury time when he tipped Antolin Alcaraz’s speculative effort around the post, but he was otherwise untroubled.

Ireland might have killed the game off within minutes of the restart after creating two good chances in quick succession. Doyle saw his left foot shot on the turn test Bobadilla, then the keeper blocked a shot from Duff.

The South Americans halved the deficit when Gamarra and Claudio Morel played their way around McShane for Gamarra to slide a pass to Barrios, who sent it right-footed past Westwood.

Both managers made changes as Trapattoni handed senior international debuts to Cillian Sheridan, Paul Green and Keith Fahey, while opposite number Gerardo Martino dispensed with three-quarters of his starting midfield.

In the meantime, Westwood was grateful to see Gamarra’s teasing 70th-minute cross run harmlessly out of play and Lawrence intercept substitute Aureliano Torres’ superb pass to Gamarra with the visitors making a late push.

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