Round Of 16. Spain Vs Portugal

Fifa World Cup 2010
Round Of 16
Spain Vs Portugal

Match Information

* Stadium: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
* Match Time: 18:30 GMT, June 29, 2010

Competition Stats
Goals- David Villa 3 Tiago 2
Assists- David Villa 1 Tiago 1
Yellows Tiago 1




Match Preview: Spain v Portugal
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It's the most talented team in world football up against one of the most talented players ever to play the game. Two countries that share a national border, but have never met at a World Cup finals.

Spain, the favourites to win this World Cup, have a history of underperforming on the world stage but boast a near perfect team that waltzed to the European title in 2008.

Now ranked second in the world – Portugal are ranked third – Spain have quality in every position, with the best midfield at the tournament plus two of the most deadly strikers on the planet.

Yet they stumbled at the first hurdle at this World Cup, dominating the opening match but slumping to a shock 1-0 defeat to the defensive-minded Switzerland.

The Spaniards got back in the swing of things with a 2-0 victory over Honduras, before edging out the next most impressive team in their group, Chile, 2-1 to qualify as the top team in Group H.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal finished alongside Argentina as the top-scoring team in the group stage of the tournament after putting seven goals past North Korea.

Their defensive game has also looked rock solid – they are yet to concede a goal despite facing Brazil and African giants Ivory Coast.

And with Crisitano Ronaldo finally ending an 18-month goalless run for his country, it may be the time for the 2008 World Player of the Year to thrive in the biggest competition in world football.

It is arguably Portugal's defensive ability that will worry Spain the most. The European champions – who have a midfield boasting the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso – are almost certain to dominate possession, but the group matches have shown that attacking game can be contained.

Portugal will sit back and aim to counter-attack through their wingers, most notably Ronaldo, who is likely to target one of Spain's few weaknesses – left back Joan Capdevila.

The Portuguese have threats elsewhere too, with six players getting on the scoresheet against North Korea (a team that had kept Brazil to just two goals in their opening match). One of those, box-to-box midfielder Raul Meireles, has been in superb form for Portugal at this World Cup.

But if it comes down to individual class, the Spaniards should prevail. David Villa is arguably the best finisher in the world, and has already scored three goals from three matches in South Africa. Fernando Torres is not in Villa's form but can always produce something special, while Xavi and Iniesta both have the passing skills to unlock any defence.

The winner here will advance to a quarter-final against either Paraguay or Japan, with a semi-final against Argentina or Germany to follow. The loser will be heading home.

Expect a Spain victory, but in a tournament that has already witnessed several upsets the Portuguese could well spring a surprise.

Stats: Spain are the only team yet to receive a yellow card, while Portugal are the only nation yet to concede a goal.

Spain player to watch: David Villa.




Portugal player to watch: Raul Meireles .




Squad(Portugal)
NUMBER NAME-Position
12 Beto-Goalkeeper
1 Eduardo-Goalkeeper
22 Daniel Fernandes-Goalkeeper
5 Duda-Defender
2 Bruno Alves-Defender
6 Ricardo Carvalho-Defender
23 Fábio Coentrão-Defender
21 Ricardo Costa-Defender
4 Rolando-Defender
3 Paulo Ferreira-Defender
13 Miguel-Defender
17 Ruben Amorim-Midfielder
20 Deco-Midfielder
15 Pepe-Midfielder
16 Raul Meireles-Midfielder
8 Pedro Mendes-Midfielder
19 Tiago-Midfielder
11 Simão-Midfielder
14 Miguel Veloso-Midfielder
10 Danny-Forward
9 Liédson-Forward
18 Hugo Almeida-Forward
7 Cristiano Ronaldo-Forward

Squad(Spain)
NUM NAME-Position
1 Iker Casillas-Goalkeeper
23 Pepe Reina-Goalkeeper
12 Victor Valdés-Goalkeeper
2 Raúl Albiol-Defender
17 Álvaro Arbeloa-Defender
11 Joan Capdevila-Defender
4 Carlos Marchena-Defender
3 Gerard Piqué-Defender
5 Carles Puyol-Defender
15 Sergio Ramos-Defender
14 Xabi Alonso-Midfielder
16 Sergio Busquets-Midfielder
10 Cesc Fábregas-Midfielder
8 Xavi-Midfielder
6 Andrés Iniesta-Midfielder
21 David Silva-Midfielder
20 Javi Martínez-Midfielder
13 Juan Mata-Midfielder
22 Jesús Navas-Midfielder
18 Pedro-Midfielder
19 Fernando Llorente-Forward
9 Fernando Torres-Forward
7 David Villa-Forward