With the same starting line-up from the last game against Chile, Spain went on to play their first game of the knock-out round against Portugal. Blaugrana players Pedro and Valdes started on the bench. At this stage, Spain knew they could not play the same way they had in the group stages, for there was no other way but to win the game in order to qualify for the quarter-finals. Portugal, until the game against Spain, had the best defense in the World Cup, with no goals conceded. Once again the Spanish team was put to test as to whether they might qualify for the quarter-finals!

Read some brief notes about the match after the jump, and add your own thoughts on the game.

Final Result: Spain 1-0 Portugal

The Spanish side, unlike the first three games, appeared as a strong team from the very beginning of the game. The players had the confidence, the harmony, and the possession of the ball and were able to dominate the game and impose their style on Portugal. Their style was that of Barcelona; the defenders were the first to start the offense by opening up the game on both flanks while the midfield, including Xavi and Busquets, provided beautiful passes for the forwards including Iniesta and Villa. The first half was completely dominated by the Spanish team except for some dangerous chances on goal by the Portuguese players.

During the second half, the La Roja players took the initiative as well. They had the possession and were close to scoring from chances created by Ramos, Villa and Iniesta. The substitution of Torres for Llorente was crucial for the Spanish team’s offense. Five minutes later, Barcelona’s player David Villa, scored Spain’s first and only goal of the night. The goal was scored after a wonderful play by the Spaniards; short, fast passes in between Portugal’s defense were played until Xavi, with the eye of the maestro, slightly touched the ball to Villa, who put the ball into the net in his second attempt after Portugal’s goalie saved his first attempt. Llorente and Villa’s chances on goal never ceased while Eduardo, Portugal’s goalkeeper, kept on saving his net.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s night was not a lucky one as he had to face Barcelona’s central defenders, Pique and Puyol, with whom he has bad memories. The Blaugrana defenders seemed as though they knew how to stop the Portuguese captain and he was put into hibernation during the second half! Pedro on the other hand, was given only a couple of minutes to play at the end of the game in place of David Villa.

Spain’s next game, in the quarter-final, will be this coming Saturday against Paraguay. Even though they were in good shape in the game against Portugal, they have not yet reached their full potential, and mistakes at this level mean the team will be going back home. Will La Roja be able to beat Paraguay? Could Llorente or Pedro be in the starting line-up instead of Torres? Could the Spanish team be more efficient with a different combination of midfield players?  Share your thoughts below in the comments section.