World Cup 2010: The best images from Italy v Paraguay and Japan v Cameroon

The defending World Champions begin their campaign tonight with a match against Paraguay, who beat Brazil and Argentina during qualification for the tournament ... This could be interesting
Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

It's absolutely leathering it down at the Green Point Stadium ...
Photograph: Julie Jacobson/AP

... making a treacherous landing for Giorgio Chiellini and Lucas Barrios as they plummet downwards after jumping for a high ball
Photograph: Oliver Weiken/EPA

Victor Caceres holds off Gianluca Zambrotta
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Zambrotta is then foiled by Antolin Alcaraz
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Well, well, well – Paraguay have taken the lead! Alcaraz outjumps the Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro and his header arcs into the corner of the goal
Photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA

The Paraguayans are quick to begin a mass pile-on; the Italians look disgusted with themselves and rightly so. Their lackadaisical marking from set-pieces has been punished
Photograph: Nic Bothma/EPA

Here's a man who won't be best pleased – Marcello Lippi, the Italian coach. After months of hearing people say Italy would walk the group (a group which also includes New Zealand and Slovakia) Lippi's side are a goal down
Photograph: Lars Baron/Getty Images

But it doesn't last. In the 63rd minute, Paraguay's goalkeeper Justo Villar flies from his goal in a hopeless attempt to punch the ball clear, but, as the picture shows, he's embarrassingly late ...
Photograph: Julie Jacobson/AP

The ball drops to Daniele De Rossi, who slides in at the back stick to equalise
Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

De Rossi makes the most of the wet surface with a good old celebratory knee-slide. One from the José Mourinho school of exuberance
Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

Italy's Simone Pepe attempts a scissor-kick ... but the scoreline remains level and the Azzurri are forced to accept a mere point. That'll teach 'em to bank on a solid defensive display
Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA

Earlier this afternoon, in the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, Japan were up against Cameroon in Group E
Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images

Among the crowd were these curious looking chaps. Whatever they're dressed as, it's all proving too much for the guy on the left
Photograph: Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images

Japan took the lead in the 38th minute when when Daisuke Matsui's deep cross found Keisuke Honda at the back post and he stroked the ball into the net
Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

Japan's resilience was tested thereafter as Cameroon began to play with greater intent. Pictured above, Benoit Assou-Ekotto is held off by Japan's Atsuto Uchida
Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

Cameroon were denied by a combination of the woodwork and goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima
Photograph: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images

Cameroon's players, including star striker Samuel Eto'o on the right, amble back to the changing rooms after their surprise 1-0 defeat
Photograph: Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images