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Full Time
Spain 1 0Portugal
D. Villa  63' 1-0 
HT: 0-0
Green Point Stadium (Attendance: 62,955)
Referee: Hector Baldassi
Preview  |  Stats  |  Match Report
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Spain vs. Portugal
Minute Commentary
94' SPAIN 1-0 PORTUGAL
Few complaints over the result in the end as Spain ultimately outclass their defensive-minded neighbours. Despite an impressive first half when they created the better chances, Portugal sat even deeper after the break and criminally failed to test the out-of-sorts Casillas. Spain duly pushed further forward with an increased tempo and got their just rewards through sharpshooter David Villa's fourth of the tournament. When the onus then fell on Portugal to attack, they offered precious little and Spain simply passed out the remaining 20-odd minutes. Messrs Ronaldo and Torres were hugely disappointing, but Xavi and Villa made up for that with wonderful individual displays. Full time in Cape Town, Spain 1 Portugal 0.
94' FULL TIME
The referee blows his whistle and Spain are in the World Cup quarter finals.
93' CUT OUT
Ronaldo drives across goal but it's cut out, and then Puyol crucially cuts out the rebounded ball in.
93' LATE CHANGE
Spain waste a few seconds by replacing Alonso with Carlos Marchena.
92' CRUCIAL BLOCK
Break for Portugal as Puyol gives the ball away, but Capdevila blocks Danny's pass to Alves in the box.
91' ADDED TIME
Just three minutes for Portugal to find what would be a shock equaliser.
89' RED CARD!
Ricardo Costa's evening, and possibly his World Cup, comes to an undignified end. He flicks out an elbow at Capdevila from a Portugal cross and is promptly shown a red card by referee Baldassi. Replays are inconclusive - the Spaniard definitely makes the most of it but there may have been contact. Either way, he's off.
88' DANNY SHOT
Capdevila throws his body on the line to block a goalbound Danny drive. Heart in mouth time for the Spaniards from a rare Portugal sniff at goal.
88' SPAIN SUB
Pedro replaces his new club mate, and potential match winner, Villa.
87' LLORENTE CHANCE
Llorente guides a chipped Villa cross just past the post. The Athletic Bilbao striker has looked sharp since his introduction.
86' HIGH AND WIDE
Just as I praise his attacking instincts...Coentrao unfathomably elects to shoot from an impossibly tight angle on the left. It's high and wide.
85' DEFENDING WELL
Spain then force Portugal all the way back to their own defenders. They can attack, sure, but Spain are defending pretty well here too.
84' CLEARED
Coentrao, as he has done for the majority of the tournament, gets forward to good effect down the left but Ramos is there to clear.
82' PASS MASTERS
Spain just aren't being pressed enough by Portugal here and there are just eight minutes to go. Del Bosque's boys are masters at keeping possession.
80' BOOKING
Tiago picks up a yellow for a late tackle on Villa. If Portugal turn this around he'll miss the quarter final.
77' VILLA STRIKE
Marvellous hit from David Villa who tests Eduardo's reflexes from 20 yards. The Braga man is equal to the task yet again, denying Villa a fifth goal of the tournament.
75' BOOKING
Xabi Alonso takes out Mendes and, unbelievably, picks up Spain's first yellow card of the 2010 World Cup.
72' DOUBLE CHANGE
Carlos Queiroz uses up his remaining substitutes. Pepe and Simao off, Pedro Mendes and Liedson on. Ronaldo looks to the bench with outstretched arms, questioning what happens now.
70' RAMOS CHANCE
Fantastic break from Spain and Sergio Ramos is oh-so-close to doubling their lead. He hares past Coentrao for the first time tonight, cutting inside and cracking a low one towards the far corner with his left foot. Eduardo's save is unconvincing but he just about smothers wide.
66' KEEP BALL
And now comes the keep-ball. Portugal look shell-shocked but they need to snap out of it or Spain will literally pass them to death.
63' SPAIN 1-0 PORTUGAL
Portugal wilt under the pressure and it may have just cost them their 2010 World Cup campaign. Pretty passing around the Portugal box ends with Xavi back-heeling into the area for DAVID VILLA. His first shot is well blocked by Eduardo but the Barcelona man makes no mistake with the rebound, prodding into the roof of the net.
61' CURLED WIDE
And then Villa curls a beauty past the post from 20 yards. Spain are moving through the gears - big few minutes coming up.
60' INSTANT CHANGE
And the substitute should score with his first touch. He sneaks in unnoticed to get on the end of a pinpoint cross, but somehow nods straight at Eduardo from all of four yards. It's a pretty bad miss actually - he's got to score from there.
59' CHANGES
A change apiece. Hugo Almeida, who missed that glorious first-half chance, is replaced by Danny. For Spain, the hugely disappointing and ineffective Fernando Torres is embarrassingly withdrawn for Fernando Llorente. Is that the end of his World Cup? He hasn't scored during the whole of Spain's campaign, from qualifying onwards.
55' STRUGGLING
Spain are struggling to create any momentum here. Ramos bombs forward but Xavi can't find him with a return pass and the ball rolls to Eduardo. Del Bosque's team needs to up the tempo or they might find themselves behind before long.
52' JUST WIDE
Almeida bursts into the box and cuts inside, clipping a cross towards the gallivanting Ronaldo. It hits Puyol and loops menacingly towards goal, dropping only inches wide. Casillas looked worried.
50' QUIET START
Quiet start to the half here with neither team seemingly approaching the task in hand any differently.
46' SECOND HALF
An intriguing 45 minutes (or more) lies ahead of us in Cape Town. Portugal get the ball rolling again.
45' HALF TIME
The half time scoreline is what most people would have predicted it to be, but it's been far from dull in Cape Town. Spain fluently pressed early on but once Portugal got into their stride they started to test the dithering Casillas. That is of course aside from when they needed to most, from that six-yard Almeida header. Food for thought in the Green Point Stadium.
43' BEST SPELL
Portugal break at lightning-quick pace from a Spain corner and a pass through to the totally unmarked Simao has to be thumped clear by a sprinting Casillas. Tiago then arrives late in the box to flash a header wide from Coentrao's cross. Portugal's best spell of the game by a country mile - they won't want half time.
39' BIG CHANCE
Massive chance - absolutely huge. Meireles turns inside and whips a fabulous cross into the six yard box. Almeida leaps ahead of Capdevila and must score with a free header, but no the Werder Bremen man glances harmlessly wide of the far post. Ronaldo was waiting behind Almeida too. What a waste.
37' BLOCKED
Carvalho blocks Xabi Alonso's powerful drive as another patient Spain attack comes to nothing.
34' TIGHT
It's tight, cagey, and heading for penalties already in Cape Town. After that early wobble Portugal have tightened up their back four and it's making for an increasingly frustrating spectacle.
31' XAVI SHOT
Alonso wins the ball 40 yards out and suddenly Xavi lines up a shot which, although well struck, is never going to trouble Eduardo and finds only the stands.
29' DODGY KEEPER
What's happened to Iker Casillas of late? The 29 year-old with 107 caps to his name looks like a stuttering teenager with an acne problem who's desperately trying to impress some watching schoolgirls. Real's number one can only scoop a 35-yard Ronaldo free kick back into the danger area, but reclaims before any Portugal man gets there first. He's Spain's only weak link tonight so far, Casillas.
26' GROWING TIRED
Ronaldo is popping up all over the shop here, even in deep central midfield, as he grows tired of the lack of service down either flank.
25' DELECTABLE
Delectable stuff from the Spaniards who have Portugal chasing shadows near the left flank. Eventually Xavi releases the trigger, slotting through for the onrushing Villa, but it's a tad too strong. Otherwise the Barcelona man was in.
23' WASTEFUL
More wasteful play from Ronaldo who elects to shoot left-footed, 25 yards out to the left of the box but with his body facing the near corner flag. The shot dribbles miserably wide.
20' GREAT SHOT
Portugal find room in Spain's third for the first time. Tiago duly lets fly from 25 yards with a real crackerjack, which Casillas can only palm into the air. Almeida leaps in but can't get his head on the ball first and Spain survive. Questionable goalkeeping there - Casillas should have tipped the fierce shot over the bar.
17' SELFISH
Simao is set to curl a free kick from the left flank into the danger area, before captain Ronaldo calls rank and shoes the Atletico man aside. Real's record - and world - signing then bounces a very tame shot into Casillas's arms from all of 40 yards. Selfish, and a real waste of a set piece.
16' SITTING BACK
Well it's clear what Portugal's intentions are - sit back and hit Spain on the break. Nothing wrong with that, but it makes the first goal absolutely vital.
13' SLACK DEFENDING
Spain almost catch Portugal out with a quick corner - Xavi passes low to Torres, 15 yards out to the right of goal, and the Liverpool hitman isn't too far over the bar with his shot on the turn.
12' POSSESSION
Vuvuzelas blaze out in synchrony as Spain casually spray the ball around halfway.
10' IMPROVEMENT
Tiago sets Costa chasing the ball to the right byline, but his cutback is weak and collected by Casillas. Still, this is better from Carlos Queiroz's boys, who have woken from their slumber.
8' BLOCKED
Two corners for Portugal who press Spain for the first time. The second is cleared to Simao whose long ranger is blocked by the wall of red shirts in the box.
7' RETHINK?
Switzerland have set the template for Portugal to follow with their defensive masterclass in the group stages, but to me Spain look a far better side tonight. For the third time in the opening seven minutes Villa gets in down the left, cutting inside Costa and drilling a low shot from a tight angle straight at Eduardo. Ominous signs for the Portuguese, who may have to rethink their defensive strategy.
5' WHOOPS
Ronaldo uncharacteristically lets a pass drop straight out of play. Portugal are still in the dressing room.
5' PRESSING
They're really pressing the issue in the opening stages, Spain. Villa wins a corner - again down the left flank - but Eduardo does well to claim with ease.
3' TARGETING COSTA
Spain are targeting Portugal's right flank and Ricardo Costa in particular. Villa shoots from wide left now, forcing Eduardo into another diving save, although this effort is tamer than that of Torres.
1' EARLY SHOT
Just inside a minute and Fernando Torres nearly scores his first goal of the tournament, cutting in from the left and curling one to the far post, where the acrobatic Eduardo sticks a hand out to flick away from goal. Great start from the Spaniards.
1' KICK OFF
Spain get the ball rolling on what could be a slippery Green Point surface.
0' NICE MOVE
Good movement from Spain who work the ball to Torres out wide - his cross skims over Ramos's head.
0' REFEREE
Argentine ref Hector Baldassi takes charge tonight. The 44-year-old is taking part in his first World Cup and has been fairly consistent in his three games so far.
0' ANTHEMS
Stoic faces from the Spanish for their anthem, The Royal March, before Portugal belt out The Portuguese Hymn with vim and vigour. Small talk over, it's time to get down to business.
0' TEAMS OUT
Captains for the night, and also club team mates, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo lead their sides out. It's wet and windy in Cape Town.
0' ONES TO WATCH
Ronaldo has yet to showcase the peak of his powers at the tournament, but he's by far and away Portugal's most thrilling player. Porto's Raul Meireles has looked pretty tasty, although it's Portugal's back four which has been the key to their success so far. They will be tested in the extreme tonight by what is arguably the most clinical attack in world football…David Villa and Fernando Torres. Spain's XI is packed full of ridiculously talented players and it would take a brave, or stupid, man to bet against them winning tonight despite Portugal's numerous qualities.
0' LINE UPS
PORTUGAL: Eduardo; Alves, Costa, Carvalho, Coentrao; Meireles, Pepe, Tiago, Simao, Ronaldo; Almeida. SPAIN: Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila; Iniesta, Alonso, Xavi, Busquets; Torres, Villa.
0' PREDICTION
Portugal probably need to score first to have a hope of winning, making the opening 20 minutes or so absolutely crucial for them. It's hard to see past Spain and their superstar strikeforce of Torres and Villa, with Xavi and Iniesta pulling the strings. Spain 2-1 Portugal.
0' TOURNAMENT SO FAR
After a rocky start (0-1 v Switzerland) Spain are slowly starting to come to the boil, having shown steady improvement in the other two games (2-0 v Honduras, 2-1 v Chile) to finish top of Group H. Portugal laboured to a frustratingly dull 0-0 draw against the Ivory Coast in their opening game before ruthlessly hammering minnows North Korea 7-0 to all-but guarantee their last 16 spot, which was confirmed with a resolute 0-0 draw against Brazil.
0' EARLY TEAM NEWS
Defender Raul Albiol (ankle) is out for Spain but Vicente del Bosque's main worry is regarding Xabi Alonso, a major doubt with an ankle knock. For Portugal, Danny (hip) is likely to miss out but Deco could start after recovering from a hip injury.
0' PREVIEW
The final last 16 tie to be played in the 2010 World Cup is, on paper, arguably the pick of the 56 fixtures the tournament has drawn up so far. Spain, 2008 European Champions, second best team in the world according to the latest FIFA rankings and regarded as many people's favourites to win the World Cup, take on Portugal - third in the rankings with a wealth of world class talent at their disposal, not least the most expensive player in the history of football; Cristiano Ronaldo. Chuck in the fact they're neighbours and we've got a potential classic on our hands in Cape Town.
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Teams
Spain
(4-4-2)
Iker Casillas1
Sergio Ramos15
Gerard Piqué3
Carles Puyol5
Joan Capdevila11
Xavi Hernández8
Sergio Busquets16
74' 90' Xabi Alonso14
Andrés Iniesta6
59' Fernando Torres9
88' 63' David Villa7
Substitutes
José Reina23
Víctor Valdés12
90' Carlos Marchena4
Raúl Albiol2
Alvaro Arbeloa17
Francesc Fàbregas10
Jesús Navas22
David Silva21
Javier Martínez20
59' Fernando Llorente19
88'  Pedro18
Juan Manuel Mata13
Portugal
(4-3-3)
1Eduardo
21 Ricardo Costa 89'
6 Carvalho
2 Bruno Alves
23 Fabio Coentrão
19 Tiago 80'
15 Pepe 72'
16 Meireles
11 Simao 72'
18 Almeida 59'
7Cristiano Ronaldo
Substitutes
22Daniel Marcio Fernandes
12 Beto
3 Ferreira
5 Duda
13 Miguel
4 Rolando
8Miguel da Silva Pedro Mendes 72'
20 Deco
14 Miguel Veloso
17Ruben Amorim
10 Danny 59'
9 Liédson 72'
Team Stats
Spain Portugal
1 Goals 0
0 Assists 0
19 Shots 9
10 Shots on Goal 3
3 Saves 7
0 Penalties Scored 0
0 Penalty Kicks 0
18 Crosses 20
6 Corner Kicks 3
0 Offsides 3
13 Fouls Committed 18
1 Cautions/Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 1
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart
Spain
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
1I. Casillas - 0 0 0 3
3G. Piqué 0 0 0 - -
5C. Puyol 0 0 0 - -
6A. Iniesta 0 0 0 - -
7D. Villa 1 0 0 - -
8X. Hernández 0 0 0 - -
9F. Torres 0 0 0 - -
11J. Capdevila 0 0 0 - -
14X. Alonso 0 1 0 - -
15S. Ramos 0 0 0 - -
16S. Busquets 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
4C. Marchena 0 0 0 - -
18 Pedro 0 0 0 - -
19F. Llorente 0 0 0 - -

Portugal
No. Player G YC RC GA Svs
1 Eduardo - 0 0 1 7
2 Bruno Alves 0 0 0 - -
6 Carvalho 0 0 0 - -
7C. Ronaldo 0 0 0 - -
11 Simao 0 0 0 - -
15 Pepe 0 0 0 - -
16 Meireles 0 0 0 - -
18 Almeida 0 0 0 - -
19 Tiago 0 1 0 - -
21 Ricardo Costa 0 0 1 - -
23 Fabio Coentrão 0 0 0 - -
Substitutes
8M. Pedro Mendes 0 0 0 - -
9 Liédson 0 0 0 - -
10 Danny 0 0 0 - -
CommentaryTeam StatsPlayer Stats Shotchart

Players
No.Number
GGoals
AstAssists
SHTSShots
SOGShots on Goal
CKCorner Kicks
CRCrosses
OffOffsides
FCFouls Committed
FSFouls Suffered
YCYellow Cards
RCRed Cards
GAGoals Against
SvsSaves
w1 © 2013 by STATS LLC.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.

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