The game was a must win for Uruguay if they were to qualify in the top two positions, while a win or draw suited Paraguay’s qualification hopes.
The game was sloppy in the opening stages, with two early bookings for Abel Hernández and Néstor Ortigoza.
The opening twenty minutes were uneventful and short in opportunities, highlighting just how tight this game would be. Neither side had established themselves as a fearsome attacking unit, especially the sub-Suárez Uruguay.
Uruguay took the vital lead they were hoping for in the 29th minute. A deep corner was met by Atlético Madrid youngster José Giménez who powered his header into the far corner.
The Uruguayan chances suddenly came flying in. Justo Villar made an excellent save from another Uruguayan corner before Edinson Cavani poked an effort just wide from the edge of the box.
Just one minute before half time Paraguay pulled level. Again from a corner, Lucas Barrios flew on to a wonderful cross, out-jumping Uruguayan goalscorer Giménez to head home from close range. The goal ensured the sides went in level at the break with Paraguay still in pole position to qualify.
The second half began in the same way as the first with Paraguay looking to keep the game as slow as possible to reduce risk of conceding.
Cavani came close on a couple of occasions before before the 70 minutes mark, but Justo Villar got the better of him each time.
Álvaro Pereira was lucky not to be sent off with just over 15 minutes remaining after a challenge in which studs were showing.
With five minutes remaining Uruguay’s best chance of the game arrived at the feet of Christian Stuani. A drilled ball across the box found the Espanyol man, but his shot flicked up straight into the arms of Villar.
Paraguay almost condemned Uruguay to elimination were it not for a good save from Fernando Muslera in the final stages.
The result sees Ecuador eliminated with Uruguay taking over as the best-placed third place team and Paraguay reaching the quarter-finals with a guaranteed spot in the top two.
Uruguay: Muslera; M.Pereira, Coates, Giménez, Á.Pereira; Sánchez (C.Rodríguez 67), A.Ríos, Á.González, Rolan; A.Hernández (Stuani 46), Cavani
Paraguay: Villar; Cáceres, Da Silva, B.Valdez, Piris; Molinas, Ortigoza (Ortiz 64); Benítez, Barrios (Santa Cruz 71), Bobadilla (González 67); N.Valdez
Booked: A.Hernández, Ortigoza, Ortiz, Coates, Á.Pereira, Molinas
Goalscorers: Giménez, Barrios
Man of the Match: Lucas Barrios. Not much to choose from in this match with very few stand-out performances, but Barrios secured the crucial point necessary for Paraguay today and as such is our Man of the Match.