Latin pride on full display

Diego Maradona calls the first knock-out stage of a World Cup the point "where history really begins."

That makes the quarter-finals the place where that history takes shape and, in Africa's first World Cup, it is South American teams that are doing the most to define the story.

The continent's assault on the trophy hots up tonight, when Brazil and Uruguay attempt to book the first two semi-final places up for grabs.

Argentina and Paraguay could join them in the last four tomorrow in what would represent an unprecedented clean sweep for the continent of Pele and Maradona.
With European champions Spain standing in the way of Paraguay, an all- South American line-up in the semis remains a long shot.

But a prediction that Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina will all come through their quarter-finals against, respectively, Holland, Ghana and Germany, does not seem to come from too far out in left field.

Ghana can become the first African side to reach a semi if they can break down an Uruguay defense that has conceded only one goal so far.

Coach Milovan Rajevac admits the Uruguayans represent a significant raising of the bar the Black Stars must clear, but insists carrying the hopes of an entire continent will not burden his side.

"Uruguay have a great tradition and players playing in the best leagues in Europe," he said. "They deserve every respect.

"But we will not change our style and we won't worry about any so- called pressure. We're not under any obligation
to make history but that doesn't mean we don't want to."
The South Americans all arrived in South Africa in prime condition and Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admitted to being extremely wary of facing on Sunday (HK time) a Paraguay side that finished third - above Argentina - in qualifying.
"We know how difficult it is," del Bosque said. "We can't take anything for granted."

Neither will Argentina, despite displaying attacking form that suggests they will be too smart and too strong for Germany who, for all their verve, are a little raw around the edges. Memories of a penalty shootout defeat by the Germans at the same stage four years ago are still too fresh for that.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE