Four years after only playing seven minutes at the 2006 World Cup, Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar is one of the main reason his team advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time.

Paraguay has only conceded one goal in four World Cup matches so far and plays European champion Spain in Johannesburg on Saturday. The winner will face Argentina or Germany in the semifinals.

"This is an unforgettable moment," said Villar, who turned 33 on Wednesday. "It's been an impossible birthday to match because we made it through to the quarterfinals.

"It's the best thing that has happened to me in my life, I can't be anything but very happy."

In 2006, Villar was injured early in its first group game against England and didn't play the rest of the tournament.

Paraguay is in the quarters after beating Japan on penalties Tuesday. The teams had played out a scoreless draw after extra time.

Villar has had to wait for his success in the World Cup.

As third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, he watched from the bench as Paraguay lost in the second round - and then came the anticlimax of his brief appearance four years ago.

"We want to keep fighting and giving people something to talk about and this Saturday is a huge opportunity to keep going along this path," Villar said. "This is not any old game, it's a World Cup at the knockout stage against a rival of the quality of Spain, and of course we are excited by the challenge."

Paraguay's defence will be tested against Spain's incisive passing and an attack led by the tournament's joint top scorer David Villa.

"We can't leave spaces because they have great touch and if you give them space they will make fun of you. We have to stick to our football of hard work and tactics." Villar said. "It's going to be a good match where you will see two types of football. One side trying to attack skillfully while we try to stop them and then try to take advantage of our chances."

Paraguay's weak spot is up front. Despite featuring Europe-based attackers such as Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios, none has scored in the four matches so far.

The side's three goals have come from defender Antolin Alcaraz and midfielders Cristian Riveros and Enrique Vera.

"It's not a problem. If the attackers don't get good passes then they can't work wonders and besides, in our system they spend a lot of time pressuring the opposition defence," Villar said. "This is a team game and in our team everybody fights equally and everybody celebrates a goal because we score them together."

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