David Villa raises the roof as Spain push past Portugal

World Cup Second Round

Spain 1	Villa 63
Portugal 0

• Daniel Taylor at Green Point Stadium
• guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 29 June 2010 21.48 BST
• 

David Villa celebrates after scoring the only goal against Portugal. Photograph: Oliver Weiken/EPA

Spain's record in the World Cup has been a source of embarrassment for longer than they will care to remember but, for this esteemed old football nation, there is now the chance to venture into new territory. They won this match with another demonstration of David Villa's qualities inside the penalty area and if they can beat Paraguay on Saturday they will have reached the semi-finals for the first time.

Villa's fourth goal of this World Cup came 63 minutes into an evening in which their football was not at their most sublime but sophisticated enough to reveal themselves as a side of class and achievement and expose the gulf with their opponents. Portugal did not show enough wit and adventure to make it the classic that had been hoped for and Carlos Queiroz's team did not go out of the competition with great dignity.

In the final moments Ricardo Costa earned a red card for a flailing arm into the face of Joan Capdevila and, as Cristiano Ronaldo sloped off the pitch after the final whistle, he registered his disapproval about being followed by a cameraman by spitting near enough for it to be seen as deliberate. Later, when asked for his thoughts on why Portugal had gone out of the competition, he replied pointedly: "Ask Queiroz."

The worst indictment for Ronaldo is that it was the only memorable moment that could be attributed to him. For long spells he was only on the edges of this match and, when he comes to looking back over his World Cup, it will mostly be with regret at a poor tournament for him individually, regardless of the man-of-the-match awards that generously came his way in the group stages. Before the kick-off there was a moment when he held out his arms, tilted back his head and looked up to the skies as if it to request divine intervention. A great camera shot, but none came.

Instead it was a night when Spain demonstrated that even when they are not at their penetrative best they can pierce the most obdurate of defences. Portugal had kept a clean sheet in 20 of their previous 25 matches under Queiroz and were one of only two sides not to concede a goal – Uruguay being the other – in the group stages. Ricardo Carvalho has had a splendid tournament whereas Fabio Coentrão has probably been the most impressive left-back on view in South Africa.

The Spanish tactic was a familiar one: maintaining possession, using the ball quickly and accurately, trying to find the killer pass for Villa or Fernando Torres. Yet, two years to the night since his goal vanquished Germany in the Euro 2008 final, this was to be another chastening experience for Torres, culminating in his withdrawal after 59 minutes and the Liverpool player making his way to the touchline with a facial expression of near-revulsion. The decision was greeted with whistles from the Spanish fans but Torres had faded after an encouraging start and his form has generally been shabby. Villa's brilliance inside the penalty area brings more focus on his team-mate's current inadequacies.

In terms of a spectacle, the match was a disappointment – not a huge one, but a disappointment all the same given the number of implausibly gifted footballers on show, certainly when compared with that game in Euro 2004 when the two sides conjured up one of the more exhilarating 90 minutes to be witnessed in modern-day tournament football.

Spain had begun well, Torres and Villa both testing the Portuguese goalkeeper Eduardo with diagonal shots, but it was not until the second half when Vicente del Bosque's men took command properly and it was in their first spell of concerted pressure that they scored their goal.

Torres had been off the pitch only a couple of minutes when his replacement, Fernando Llorente, aimed a header too close to Eduardo from six yards out, but the pressure on Eduardo's goal was growing. Within two minutes Andrés Iniesta flicked a wonderfully measured reverse pass into Xavi's path and this conjuror of a footballer applied the deftest of touches to back-heel the ball into Villa's path. It was the most incisive move of the match and, in an instant, Villa was through on goal for the first time. His first effort was saved but the rebound came back to him and was struck more forcibly, going over Eduardo and into the roof of the net.

The response from Portugal was surprising. It was now that they had to play with a greater sense of ambition and that Ronaldo ought to have become a more telling influence. Instead, their challenge faded out without any prolonged assault on the Spain goal.

Ronaldo had a couple of free-kicks straight at Iker Casillas in the first half and Tiago had also extended the goalkeeper with a 20-yard shot but there were only sporadic moments in the second half when they threatened to get back into the match. Spain eased themselves to the final whistle. They have got that improbable defeat to Switzerland out of their system and, with the exception of Torres, everything is beginning to click.

Torres (Spain) : We've still to hit our stride

(FIFA.com) Monday 28 June 2010

Getty Images

Fans of Spain and followers of the beautiful game everywhere could be found biting their nails when Fernando Torres went under the knife just one month before his national side’s pre-South Africa 2010 training camp. However, El Niño and his medical team have worked wonders to ensure the Liverpool returned from the operation on his knee to full fitness in time.

“I couldn’t make up my mind for a whole week,” said Torres, who has appeared in all three of La Selección’s games so far on his second trip to the finals. "I would have preferred not to have the operation, but in the end I had no option. It was sad to miss the end of the season with my club, but what kept up my hopes was the chance to come to the World Cup."

FIFA spoke exclusively to the 26-year-old, scorer of Spain’s winner in the final of UEFA EURO 2008 against Germany, ahead of the Round of 16 encounter with Portugal on 29 June in Cape Town.

FIFA: Fernando, would you say that you are beginning to improve game by game?
Fernando Torres: Playing again after an operation is always hard, especially as it was only two months ago. It’s hard to get your fitness back. But I’m feeling better bit by bit and everything’s coming more naturally. We worked hard to make sure I made it here, but now I’m just focusing on helping the team as much as I can.

Though you’re yet to open your account at the finals, David Villa is in red-hot form. What can you tell us about him?
David’s one of those players who only thinks about scoring. He can shoot and score with either foot and from inside or outside the box. He’s always a threat to opposing teams but they can’t tell which is his stronger foot or how to close him down. That’s why he’s so important to us. Plus he only needs four more goals to overtake Raul as Spain’s highest-ever goalscorer.

We managed to top our group and now it’s up to us to play the football we enjoy playing. We’re certain that the team’s going to get stronger.

Fernando Torres

You know a good few of the Portugal players very well. What’s your verdict on Portuguese football and how fierce is the rivalry between Spain and Portugal?
I think that Portugal have a very balanced team with a good blend of young and experienced players. They won’t be easy opponents. They had trouble qualifying but they’ve improved a lot at this World Cup and had a good group phase. The rivalry comes from the fact we’re neighbours and because there are so many players who have crossed the border to play in the other country. It’ll be a very intense game.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque always asks you all to improve a little each game. What areas could you work on?
The boss wants us to rediscover our usual form. Spain still haven’t shown their best form or hit the heights we were hoping for. I think it has to do with the defeat against Switzerland. The fact we needed to win our subsequent games, along with the anxiety that brings, stopped us playing the way we would have liked. But now we’re at the stage we’d aimed to reach before we came here. We managed to top our group and now it’s up to us to play the football we enjoy playing. We’re certain that the team’s going to get stronger.

What has the coach asked of you ahead of the Portugal match?
I think that we didn’t press aggressively enough in our previous games. We didn’t play close enough to each other. We need to play more as a unit, especially against teams like Portugal who are very strong defensively and will wait for us to bring the game to them. They’ve not conceded a goal yet in South Africa, so a team like that will be very tough to break down. What’s more, they’ve got very dangerous forwards like [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Simao. That means a counter-attacking game would suit them, so that’s something we’ve got to avoid.

What’s your opinion on Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s biggest star?
His energy is incredible. He’s a player with quality to spare but he’s also willing to help out his team-mates. When his team is struggling and on the back foot, he’s always ready to receive the ball. He always wants to play and make an impact. Some of my Spain colleagues play alongside him at Real Madrid and say that he’s completely different to the public’s perception of him. He’s a great professional, is one of the first to arrive at training and then he stays afterwards to work out in the gym. Most of the time the image people have is different from the reality. I think that’s the case with all footballers. You have a different persona on and off the pitch.

Do you think Spain will finally hit their best form in time for the Portugal game?
It’ll be tough but I’m hoping Spain can produce their best football and, thanks to the support we've got, qualify for the next round. We’re in the knockout stages now and we’re in with a chance of becoming world champions, but we need to do our talking out on the pitch.

Spain-Portugal For the Iberian supremacy

Set to take centre stage in Cape Town on 29 June is a glittering Round of 16 clash between two neighbours and contenders for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ crown: Spain and Portugal. Standing second and third respectively in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the eagerly anticipated encounter between the Iberian duo at the Green Point Stadium is the sides’ first meeting at world football’s top table.

The match
Spain-Portugal, Round of 16, Cape Town, Tuesday 29 June 2010, 20.30 (local time)

Expectations are extremely high ahead of the last-16 meeting between two teams considered among the pre-tournament contenders for the coveted Trophy. And with La Roja and A Selecção das Quinasboth having had to come through a gruelling group phase, one of the fancied pair will be heading home much earlier than expected.

European champions Spain arrived at South Africa 2010 as firm favourites for the world title along with Brazil, though Vicente del Bosque’s team were given a harsh wake-up call in an opening 1-0 defeat against Switzerland. Showing their mettle, La Selección gritted their teeth and won their next two Group H games against Honduras and Chile to qualify in top spot in their section and avoid a last-16 meeting with Dunga’s charges.

Portugal, for their part, safely negotiated a fiercely competitive Group G also containing Côte d’Ivoire, Korea DPR and Brazil. Carlos Queiroz’s solid side played out a goalless opening draw with Didier Drogba and Co before cutting loose in a 7-0 success over the North Koreans. Following that goalfest, another scoreless draw in their final game against the five-time world champions was enough to secure second spot and a place in the knockout stages.

Both coaches have near-to-full-strength squads from which to choose, though former Real Madrid boss Del Bosque will be without key midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Raul Albiol. Opposite number Queiroz, who also once held the reins at Los Merengues, welcomes back midfield schemer Deco though cannot call upon the versatile Ruben Amorim.

Players to watch

David Villa v Cristiano Ronaldo
The Spanish striker’s three-goal haul so far at South Africa 2010 has taken his tally at FIFA World Cups to six in total, making Barcelona’s new signing his country’s highest ever scorer in the competition. The flying Portuguese winger, for his part, has struck just once to date in South Africa despite claiming the Budweiser Man of the Match award in each of his side’s three matches. The Real Madrid forward needed a total of 17 shots to score his solitary goal, which came in the demolition of Korea DPR, though Ronaldo can count himself unfortunate to have been denied by the woodwork on two occasions already.

The stat
33 – The Cape Town clash will be the two teams’ first meeting at a FIFA World Cup, but the pair share a lengthy footballing history featuring no fewer than 32 previous matches. Spain have the edge with 15 wins to just five victories for Portugal, though the latter are unbeaten in the duo’s matches at continental finals: drawing 1-1 at the 1984 UEFA European Championship and winning 1-0 at the 2004 edition of the same competition.

What they said
"Portugal are a great team and they’re about more than just Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes it’s true that Cristiano is one of their best players, but we mustn’t forget that the Portuguese are the only team that still haven’t conceded a goal at this World Cup. That proves that they’re a solid unit and not just a collection of individuals. Their game is based around defensive solidity, pace and counter-attacking, as well as having very skilful players. I foresee a very difficult game, like they all will be for the rest of the competition. Only the best teams are left in it now," Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach.

"We’re ready to take on anybody. We’ve already played in critical games during qualifying and now we have another all-or-nothing match at a World Cup. That’s why we’re ready to give everything we’ve got on the pitch with only one aim in mind: staying in the World Cup. Portugal’s best is still to come,"Carlos Queiroz, Portugal coach.

Brazil - Portugal, What happened ?

Both sides through after stalemate

Portugal failed in their attempt to beat Brazil and climb above the World Cup heavyweights in a toothless Group G match in Durban.

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Fabio Coentrao - A rare source of energy in what was a lethargic game, Coentrao was particularly impressive in the first half as he drove forwards and put some dangerous balls into the box. With Maicon and Dani Alves both on the right for Brazil, it looked set to be a tough afternoon's work for Coentrao, but he was rarely troubled defensively and attacked with real intent.

Portugal verdict: While they never came alive, Portugal contained Brazil well and had the better of the game's limited opportunities. Raul Meireles looked one of the more threatening players in the Portugal squad and should be looking to get forward more often but, defensively, Ricardo Costa looked a little vulnerable against Nilmar's pace.

Brazil verdict: Knowing a draw would take them through in first place, Brazil made major changes in attack and never looked like overexerting themselves. In isolation, this would be viewed as a poor performance and give Dunga's critics more ammunition, but they have shown they can step it up when required and a perfunctory showing like this is little cause for concern.

Could do better: Cristiano Ronaldo - While he is very capable of moments of magic, his attempts to score every time he receives the ball are generally counter-productive. He needs to stop trying to win every game on his own if Portugal are to succeed at this World Cup, particularly given his poor goal-scoring form for his country.

Stat attack: Prior to the game, Brazil had failed to score just twice in their last 21 World Cup matches, both of which came against France.

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Brazil clinched top spot while the Portuguese got the point they needed to finish second in the standings to also progress to the second round ahead of Ivory Coast, who defeated North Korea.

The Brazilians will play the runners-up of Group H in their next game while Portugal will take on the winners from that pool.

Much was expected from the match at a packed Moses Mabhida stadium with both sides possessing plenty of flair and despite an electric atmosphere with the Brazilian fans far outnumbering the Portuguese supporters, there was little action on the pitch.

Brazil had the best chance to claim their third win in as many games on the half-hour mark but Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo made an outstanding save to deny Nilmar from close range.

Portugal should have gone in front before the hour mark, but Raul Meireles struck just wide from five yards after a great run from Cristiano Ronaldo.

A game expected to be full of attacking football instead had seven yellow cards handed out in a first half controlled by Brazil. Portugal came to life after the re-start but failed to test Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the side that thrashed North Korea 7-0, while the Brazilians were without suspended Kaka and injured Elano in midfield.

As expected, Julio Baptista replaced Kaka while coach Dunga surprisingly left Robinho out of the starting XI and opted to play Nilmar alongside Luis Fabiano up front.

Brazil earned two corners in the opening minutes and had the first chance in the fifth minute. Dani Alves' right-footed strike from 25 yards went wide of the near post.

Brazil tried to loosen up the Portuguese defence but they did not seem to have any sense of urgency to test Eduardo.

In the 14th minute, Julio Cesar did well to punch away Fabio Coentrao's dangerous cross towards the box. Shortly after, Alves tried his luck from the distance and his central effort was saved by the Portugal goalkeeper. At the other end, Tiago's volley from the edge of the area went over the bar.

Midway through the first half, Juan was shown a yellow card after a hand ball to stop a Portuguese counter-attack.

Brazil almost went in front soon after. Luis Fabiano fed Nilmar at the far post and his five-yard shot was deflected by Eduardo's palm to the near post. At the other end, Tiago was booked for diving.

In the 38th minute, Luis Fabiano latched on to Maicon's cross from the right and his header went just wide of the near post. Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar had one save to make in the opening half with Ronaldo's 40th-minute strike not causing the Inter Milan man any problems.

Portugal came to life in the second half and Lucio was forced to make a crucial clearance from Ronaldo's cross with Danny waiting inside the area. Before the hour mark, Meireles struck just wide from five yards after a great run from Ronaldo.

In the 73rd minute, Alves' 30-yard strike went wide while three minutes from time Lucio's header was saved by Eduardo.

Substitute Ramires almost earned Brazil victory but his right-footed strike was denied by an acrobatic save from Eduardo in stoppage time.