Ireland took the lead at the Royal Dublin Showgrounds in the 7th minute when Roque Santa Cruz headed against his own bar and Kevin Doyle stuck his head in before colliding with the post to score.
It was 2-0 in the 39th minute thanks to Liam Lawrence getting on the end of a knockdown and hitting a shot which deflected off a Paraquay defender and bypassed the visiting keeper.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM
Westwood made his first save of the game in the first minute of stoppage time when he got down to concede a corner but in the 57th minute, there was little he could but pick the ball out of the net as Lucas Barrios created space inside the penalty area to score with a low drive.
Former City striker Robbie Keane was replaced in the 62nd minute as Ireland, who face Algeria on Friday, controlled the game to win.