TAEJON, South Korea -- Spain cruised into the last 16 of the World Cup here on Wednesday evening, beating a determined but ultimately inferior South African team 3-2.

The result also ended South Africa's World Cup ambitions, Paraguay's 3-1 victory over Slovenia being sufficient to see the South Americans through on a superior goals-scored record.

Spain now moves on to a mouthwatering second-round clash with Ireland in Suwon on Sunday.

"Spain had a great group stage, which didn't happen for a very long time," said Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

"This is a World Cup where football is very equal. Teams that could have qualified if they'd scored a couple more goals, didn't do that and ended up going home."

Bearing in mind that South Africa needed at least a draw to be certain of progressing to the final 16, they got off to a horrific start.

With just four minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Andre Arendse fumbled a routine collection, mishandling a through ball into his area by Gaizka Mendieta and presenting it on a plate to Raul, who needed no second bidding.

As Arendse punched the turf, Raul walked the ball into an empty net.

After the goal, the South Africans initially looked unlikely to penetrate Spain's well-drilled back four, although fierce shots from MacBeth Sibaya and Sibusiso Zuma brought saves from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

The European team were having the better of the midfield battle, however, forcing the South Africans into some desperate defending at times.

In the 29th minute, Arendse went some way to redeeming his early error with a stunning full-stretch save to deny Mendieta.

And from the 'keeper's throw, South Africa stormed straight down the other end of the pitch, where a header that looped high into the box from Siyabonga Nomvethe fell to Benedict McCarthy, who acrobatically tucked it past Iker Casillas to draw his team level.

Spain responded with a sustained bout of pressure and, with seconds to go before half time, Mendieta curved a 20-yard free kick around the defensive wall and into the net, leaving Arendse rooted to the spot.

South Africa equalized for a second time eight minutes into the second half, when Spanish defender Romero could only flick on a right wing corner instead of clearing the danger, pushing it to Lucas Radebe, who stooped to head home.

Radebe was at fault three minutes later, however, when Raul stole a yard on the giant South African captain to meet a pinpoint cross from the right and effectively pick his spot for a powerful header that gave his team the lead for the third time in the game.

Ivan Helguera came close to extending the advantage in the 62nd minute, heading wide from a free kick whipped in from near the corner flag, while an attempted chip by Raul in the 65th fell short and was easily held by Arendse.

In a rare South African scoring opportunity soon afterward, McCarthy shot through a crowded penalty box, only to see his effort drift wide.

The initiative still lay with the Spanish, however.

An overlapping move down the right flank ended with Curro Torres sending over a cross that Radebe sustained an injury in clearing, the Leeds United player being substituted by Thabang Molefe.

Then in the 77th minute, Arendse again pulled off a fine reaction save to deny Albert Luque.

Raul gave way for Luis Enrique with eight minutes remaining, and the Barcelona star immediately missed the sort of scoring opportunity that he tucks away with regularity for his club, toe-poking a cross wide of the upright with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Spain was happy to keep South Africa at bay for the remainder of the match to record their third consecutive victory and there was little that South Africa could do to get back on even terms.

"It's unfortunate that Paraguay had to beat Slovenia, but we gave away three silly goals, you cannot blame anyone," said South Africa coach Jomo Sono. "We gave it our best shot, we played well today."

Spain's Camacho had said before the game that he would make some changes to his staring lineup. In the event, six players were allowed to put their feet up, including De Pedro, who had played exceptionally in Spain's previous group games against Paraguay and Slovenia, and Fernando Hierro.

The replacements were still too powerful for South Africa, however, and one of the dark horses for the tournament now has the look of a thoroughbred about it.