Paraguay recorded a 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago to finish third in Group B.
The Soca Warriors still had an outside chance of qualifying for the second round at kick-off and, needing to win, they started with far more attacking intent than they had shown in either of their first two games.
However, Paraguay were also desperate to give their supporters something to cheer about before they went home following two disappointing performances
T&T goalkeeper Kelvin Jack was called into action within the first couple of minutes, leaping to his left to deny Roque Santa Cruz after he had cleverly flicked on Edgar Baretto's free kick.
In a virtual mirror image Paraguay goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla produced a superb save at the other end to keep out Cornell Glen, who had connected well with Dwight Yorke's inswinging delivery.
With nothing to lose the South Americans played in a refreshingly free flowing manner but struggled to provide the quality needed in front of goal until they were given a helping hand by opposing defender Brent Sancho on 25 minutes.
A dangerous free kick from Roberta Acuna was headed on by Julio Dos Santos, sparking panic in the T&T box.
Sancho climbed high in an attempt to head the ball away but he could not control the direction of his clearance and unfortunately turned it into his own net.
In a bold early substitution Kenwyne Jones was brought on for Avery John but the tactical move did not have the desired effect, as Paraguay, buoyed by the goal, took complete control.
Jack once again proved that he was a capable stand-in for Shaka Hislop with a fearless save from Nelson Valdez, but moments later he was indebted to the referee's assistant after Denis Caniza's shot squirmed past him at his near post.
It looked as if Caniza's goal had stood but after an outrageously long wait the flag went up. It may have been a late decision but it was a correct one.
On the stroke of half time Jack kept T&T in it once again, acrobatically diving to his right to tip Valdez's firm header round the post.
Leo Beenhakker's side lost Glen with a nasty-looking injury but did not let their heads drop as they began the second half much more strongly.
They almost scored a wonderful goal moments after the resumption when Jones embarked on an inspired dribble before laying a pass to Carlos Edwards, but his cross was just too hard for Stern John.
Paraguay briefly seemed rattled by The Soca Warriors' high tempo, but they quickly regained their composure and their organised back line mostly restricted T&T to shots from distance and hopeful long balls.
On the break Paraguay also looked threatening, and came close to doubling their advantage when Carlos Paredes stung the palms of Jack, whose overall save count was nearing double figures.
In a pulsating last 20 minutes T&T upped the ante further in their quest for a World Cup goal, with substitute Russell Latapy lashing narrowly wide from outside the area.
Their ambition left them exposed at the back though, and any lingering hopes of getting back into the game were killed off when Nelson Cuevas scored a fine second goal for Paraguay (86), coolly slotting home after a neat one-two with Santa Cruz.
T&T ended the tournament goalless and bottom of the group, but their honest endeavour will have won them legions of new fans.
The Soca Warriors still had an outside chance of qualifying for the second round at kick-off and, needing to win, they started with far more attacking intent than they had shown in either of their first two games.
However, Paraguay were also desperate to give their supporters something to cheer about before they went home following two disappointing performances
T&T goalkeeper Kelvin Jack was called into action within the first couple of minutes, leaping to his left to deny Roque Santa Cruz after he had cleverly flicked on Edgar Baretto's free kick.
In a virtual mirror image Paraguay goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla produced a superb save at the other end to keep out Cornell Glen, who had connected well with Dwight Yorke's inswinging delivery.
With nothing to lose the South Americans played in a refreshingly free flowing manner but struggled to provide the quality needed in front of goal until they were given a helping hand by opposing defender Brent Sancho on 25 minutes.
A dangerous free kick from Roberta Acuna was headed on by Julio Dos Santos, sparking panic in the T&T box.
Sancho climbed high in an attempt to head the ball away but he could not control the direction of his clearance and unfortunately turned it into his own net.
In a bold early substitution Kenwyne Jones was brought on for Avery John but the tactical move did not have the desired effect, as Paraguay, buoyed by the goal, took complete control.
Jack once again proved that he was a capable stand-in for Shaka Hislop with a fearless save from Nelson Valdez, but moments later he was indebted to the referee's assistant after Denis Caniza's shot squirmed past him at his near post.
It looked as if Caniza's goal had stood but after an outrageously long wait the flag went up. It may have been a late decision but it was a correct one.
On the stroke of half time Jack kept T&T in it once again, acrobatically diving to his right to tip Valdez's firm header round the post.
Leo Beenhakker's side lost Glen with a nasty-looking injury but did not let their heads drop as they began the second half much more strongly.
They almost scored a wonderful goal moments after the resumption when Jones embarked on an inspired dribble before laying a pass to Carlos Edwards, but his cross was just too hard for Stern John.
Paraguay briefly seemed rattled by The Soca Warriors' high tempo, but they quickly regained their composure and their organised back line mostly restricted T&T to shots from distance and hopeful long balls.
On the break Paraguay also looked threatening, and came close to doubling their advantage when Carlos Paredes stung the palms of Jack, whose overall save count was nearing double figures.
In a pulsating last 20 minutes T&T upped the ante further in their quest for a World Cup goal, with substitute Russell Latapy lashing narrowly wide from outside the area.
Their ambition left them exposed at the back though, and any lingering hopes of getting back into the game were killed off when Nelson Cuevas scored a fine second goal for Paraguay (86), coolly slotting home after a neat one-two with Santa Cruz.
T&T ended the tournament goalless and bottom of the group, but their honest endeavour will have won them legions of new fans.
