GERMANY is in its World Cup comfort zone, the quarterfinals. They got there after Oliver Neuville's goal in the 88th minute, giving the three-time champions a 1-0 victory over Paraguay.

But the Germans struggled all game to finish their attacks before they finally got the decisive goal as extra time loomed.

"I got a bit excited at halftime," coach Rudi Voeller said. "We played just the opposite of how we wanted to; sometimes we just blindly pushed the ball forward. But after the break, the team played well. We knew Paraguay would be tough, they are very robust defensively."

Neuville swept in a 6-yard right-footed shot after Bernd Schnieder broke down the right wing and sent in a perfect cross.

"I believed we could still win, because we played very well in the second half," Neuville said. "They were just playing for a draw."

Germany faces Mexico or the United States in the quarterfinals on Friday in Ulsan, South Korea.

The Germans beat the Americans in the first round of the 1998 World Cup. In 1986, they defeated host Mexico in the quarterfinals in a penalty kick shootout.

"It doesn't matter who," Voeller said. "Both teams had a good first round."

Paraguay ended the game with 10 men after Roberto Acuna was sent off in second-half injury time.

It is the second straight World Cup in which Paraguay was knocked out on a late goal in the opening game of the second round. Paraguay lost to eventual champion France in 1998 on an overtime goal.

Paraguay coach Cesare Maldini resigned after the game.

"I'm going to Milan to work as a scout. This has been a great experience, the Paraguayans have been very professional," the Italian said.

Maldini led Italy to the quarterfinals of the 1998 World Cup.

In a listless first half that saw Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz limp off in the 30th minute, neither side could scratch out many clear chances. The Paraguayans came closest in the 35th minute.

Jose Cardozo chipped the ball into the middle, where Celso Ayala was unmarked. But he sent his shot into goalkeeper Oliver Kahn's arms from 10 yards.

Moments later, Kahn leaped high to tip Jorge Campos' swinging shot over the bar.

The game picked up in the second half.

Germany came close in the 47th when Neuville broke down the right side of the penalty area and sent the ball back to Schneider, With plenty of space, he rifled his shot straight at goalie Jose Luis Chilavert from 8 yards.

Moments later, Paraguay broke upfield and Campos, who outran his defender, lashed a fierce left-footed drive that forced a diving save from Kahn.

"We've went down like heroes," said Chilavert. "The Germans didn't outplay us, we played them equally. We leave having made our country proud.

"We had chances in the first half, but football is like that. The important thing is that we've played well. Germany didn't outplay Paraguay, we played them equally."