Fernando Torres and his Spain teammates’ first test in the knock-out stages of the World Cup will be against Portugal on Tuesday night at the Green Point Stadium, kick-off at 19:30 hours (BST). The Red Fury, who topped Group H with six points, face a Portugal side who despite finishing second behind Brazil, have yet to lose or concede a goal in their three games to date.

Spain reach the second round on the back of wins against Honduras and more recently against Chile last Friday. Torres started both matches as Vicente Del Bosque’s team recovered from the opening day loss to Switzerland to qualify for the last sixteen of the World Cup.

Fernando Torres made his full international debut against Portugal in a friendly played in Guimares. The forward’s special day was slightly overclouded as Torres was forced to come with a slight injury, although Spain went on to record an emphatic 3-0 win.

The last meeting between the two teams in an official tournament was back in 2004 at the European Champions held in Spain’s neighbouring country. The side coached by Iñaki Sáez failed to get out of the group stages after falling to a 1-0 defeat to the hosts in the final round of group matches.

Fernando Torres warned of the threat posed by Portugal in an interview with ‘AS’ newspaper. “The team defends very well. Pepe, who is back from injury, is a guarantee at the back and Carvalho is an excellent player. Bruno Alves is very good, and their two fullbacks, Miguel Ferreira and Costa, are both very solid, yet thet also contribute in attack. Coentrao out on the left is a dangerman, but there’s also Mendes, Tiago Meireles and Deco. Ronaldo and Simao offer plenty in attack, with Hugo Almeida up front. Hugo knows what’s expected of him and he knows how to deliver.”

Portugal were placed in the ‘Group of Death’ alongside Brazil, the Ivory Coast and North Korea. The side managed by Carlos Queiroz opened their World Cup with scoreless draw with the Ivory Coast before thumping North Korea 7-0. Portugal then drew with Brazil 0-0 to seal second spot and a place in the last sixteen. For the match against Spain Carlos Queiroz has two important injury doubts, as both Danny and Duda face late fitness tests.

Come Tuesday Spain will be looking to go one stage further than their previous World Cup appearance in Germany. Torres was part of the Spain team, which after topping their group, went out to France in the second round of the tournament.

The winner of the tie between Spain and Portugal will face the winner of the match between Paraguay and Japan for a place in the last eight of the 2010 World Cup.