Better late than never.

Oliver Neuville, starting his first game in this World Cup, scored a goal in the 88th minute to give Germany a late lead and the 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16. The victory means Germany becomes the first team to advance into the quarterfinals.

The goal saved an otherwise slow-moving match, in which Germany and Paraguay failed to convert solid shots on goal. Both sides weren't lacking for chances in the second half of the game, played before a crowd of 25,000 in Seogwipo, South Korea.

Neuville and midfielder Bernd Schneider teamed up for a near miss only a minute after the first half started. A Neuville shot in the 62nd minute was punched away by Paraguay's Jose Luis Chilavert. Three minutes later, Germany's Thorsten Frings missed a good opportunity following an artful Schneider pass to the right of the box. Frings stopped and sailed his shot over the crossbar.

Paraguay fires when open

While German shots were sailing high and wide, especially in a hard-fought, but uncreative first half, Paraguay's shots on goal were precise and hard. Oliver Kahn, continuing the fantastic tourament he's had, had several good saves.

Paraguaian striker Jorge Campos gave Kahn plenty to work with, firing shots while defenders trailed him. Kahn saved in the first half on a dive to his right. The German keeper, who turned 33 on Saturday, knocked down another shot by Campos to his right in the second half.

Known for its defense, Paraguay played conservative in the second half, allowing Germany to set up shop on their side of the field for most of the time. The Paraguayan side also missed the playmaking of star Roque Santa Cruz, who had to leave early following injury.

Hard-charging Neuville scores winner

Santa Cruz's exit prompted more aggressive play from the German side, who began to press more aggressively. But it wasn't until late in the game that Germany began getting better opportunities.

The smaller Neuville, who Coach Völler started in favor of more physical striker Carsten Jancker, saw his aggressive play close to the goal finally pay off. He took the cross from Schneider and kicked it immediately with the right foot after one bounce.

"We would have liked to have that goal earlier," said midfielder Michael Ballack. "But we were the better team and had the better chances, that's why the victory was well-earned."