A second-half strike from David Villa was enough to see-off Portugal in the Iberian derby. Spain controlled play from start to finish, creating chance after chance. Eduardo in the Portugal goal was in inspired form but was unable to deny Villa on 63 minutes as Spain set-up a quarter-final meeting with Paraguay.

Fernando Torres started the last sixteen clash in the Spain attack, and until his substitution in the second-half, the forward battled with the Portugal defence creating space for his teammates. The Red forward almost scored a carbon copy of Liverpool’s ‘Goal of the Season’, but Eduardo clawed the ball away at the last moment.

Spain started impressively with Fernando Torres testing Eduardo with an excellent right-foot as early as the second minute. The striker cut in from the left before curling a shot goalwards which the Portugal keeper pushed behind for a corner. Moments later Eduardo was called into action again as David Villa’s drive was palmed away by the shotstopper.

The Red Fury were camped in Portugal’s half, but the Portuguese defence held firm, showing just why they had yet to concede a goal at the World Cup. Tiago had Portugal’s first shot on goal mid-way through the first-half. The midfielder’s effort was punched into the air by Iker Casillas, but the keeper managed to trackback and clear the danger under pressure from Almeida.

Carlos Queiroz’s side were defending in numbers and sitting back waiting for Spain to make mistake. The European Champions however continued to keep faith with their passing game.

Despite dominating possession, Spain failed to break down the Portugal back-line as the teams went in 0-0 at the break.

Portugal almost took the lead soon after the restart, but luckily for Spain, Hugo Almeida’s cross crept past the far post after deflecting off Puyol. With just under an hour gone, Vicente Del Bosque brought on Llorente for Fernando Torres.

Spain slowly upped the pace as Llorente had a point blank header saved by Eduardo in the Portugal goal. Moments later, Villa curled an effort inches wide of the far post.

The breakthrough final arrived in the 63rd minute. Xavi’s clever back-flip found David Villa in space. The forward’s first strike was blocked by Eduardo, but the rebound fell kindly to Villa who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Spain were not content with the 1-0 scoreline. Eduardo produced a brilliant finger-tip save to deny Ramos and a header from Llorente shaved the outside of the post.

Portugal were reduced to ten-men with two minutes remaining as Costa were shown a red card for an elbow on Capdevilla.

Spain hung-on for the final minutes to surge into the last eight of the World Cup where they will face Paraguay.


- Match Stats: Spain 1-0 Portugal

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Alonso (Marchena, 90), Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Torres (Llorente, 59), David Villa (Pedro, 88)

Booked: Alonso

Goals: Villa 63

Portugal: Eduardo, Alves, Costa, Carvalho, Coentrao, Meireles, Pepe (Mendes, 72), Tiago, Ronaldo, Simao (Liedson, 72), Almeida (Danny, 59)

Booked: Tiago


Sent-off: Costa