( CNN ) -- Paraguay booked a place in the last eight of the World Cup for the very first time in their history at the expense of Japan but only after a dramatic penalty shoot out in Pretoria . Japan 's Yuichi Komano missed the crucial spot kick and Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo was the man to seal the game with the winning penalty , as his side triumphed 5-3 . Neither side created many chances during 120 minutes of disappointing football , though Japan 's Daisuke Matsui hit the crossbar and Paraguay forced goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima into a couple of smart saves . In the end , Paraguay held its nerve from 12 yards to make it to the quarterfinals , where they will face the winners of Tuesday 's other last 16 clash between Spain and Portugal . After a quiet opening 20 minutes at Loftus Versfeld Stadium Paraguay fashioned the first opening when Lucas Barrios got into the area and forced Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima into a good low save . Seconds later , Daisuke Matsui struck the bar from 25 yards with a looping shot . Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz was the next to go close as he latched onto a loose ball in the area but he dragged his shot wide . Five minutes before halftime Japan created a chance for Keisuke Honda after Matsui squared the ball to him on the edge of the box . He elected to shoot , and sliced his shot wide , when Yoshito Okubo was unmarked to his left . Chances were few and far between for the rest of half as Japan sat deep and made themselves difficult to break down . After the break Nestor Ortigoza worked his way into the penalty area but failed to get a shot off before Cristian Riveros flashed a header right at Kawashima . Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka went close with a header from a corner but both sides struggled to open each other up . As the end of 90 minutes loomed both sides retreated , more than happy to sit back rather than launch men forward , and the game duly went into extra time . Paraguay pressed forward after the restart and substitute Edgar Barreto tested Kawashima with a header , before the 'keeper had to dive at Nelson Valdez 's feet to prevent him scoring . Honda then forced Paraguay 'keeper Justo Villar into a save with a free-kick . In the second half of extra time Japan came close to a winner when Yuto Nagatomo 's cross was met by Honda but Villar saved , but the game went to penalties . The first six penalties were converted before Komano smashed his shot against the crossbar . Then Cardozo held his nerve to clinch the game .
Paraguay beat Japan to book a place in the last eight of the World Cup . South American side won 5-3 on penalties after a goalless game . Japan 's Yuichi Komano missed the crucial penalty . Paraguay will now face either Spain or Portugal in quarterfinal .