Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano scored the crucial goal 12 minutes from the end as Alfio Basile's men recorded their third consecutive victory in South America's showpiece tournament.

Argentina will now return to Barquisimeto on Sunday to take on the Peruvians, while Paraguay face Mexico in Maturin on the same day.

With both teams already assured of a place in the last eight thanks to victories over Colombia and the USA, both Basile and Gerardo Martin took the opportunity to field much-changed line-ups.

Rodrigo Palacio, Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago and West Ham United striker Carlos Tevez came in for Argentina while keeper Aldo Bobadilla and midfielder Aureliano Torres started for Paraguay.

Argentina began the better and Zaragoza star Pablo Aimar could have opened the scoring but just failed to get on the end of Luis Gonzalez's ball.

The 'Albicelestes' began to dominate possession and limited Paraguay to sporadic counter-attacks, though keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri had to pull of an impressive save to deny striker Salvador Cabanas just after the half hour mark.

Hammers star Tevez hit the post 10 minutes after the break before Palacio saw an effort come back off the bar as Argentina came close to breaking the deadlock at the start of the second-half.

Dante Lopez had Paraguay's best chance of the second period but Getafe stopper Abbondanzieri again was equal to the challenge.

And Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano won the game for Argentina in the 78th minute when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and beat Bobadilla with a precise shot.