Spain See Off Portugal

A single strike from David Villa was all that separated Spain and Portugal as the European Champions progressed into the quarter finals with a 1-0 win.

Perhaps it was not he exciting spectacle that we were all expecting as Fernando Torres had the only real chance of the opening minutes.

The Liverpool star got on the end of a corner and took a shot on goal, a shot that went only just over the crossbar. Villa also looked in the mood to get on the score sheet as forced Eduardo, who really has been in fine form in goal for Portugal during the tournament, to make a great save.

Xavi also came close after connecting with a corner but after these early chances Portugal began to keep Spain at arms length and stifle Torres and Villa.

In the thirty ninth minute Portugal had the best real chance of the half to take the lead when Almeida didn't get enough power on header, crossed in from Meireles, even more disappointing Ronaldo was just behind and probably in a better position to find the back of the net.

Ronaldo came close twice with long range free-kicks, Spanish keeper Casillas looking a little jittery and Pique was on hand to held him out and avert the danger.

Another chance also past Portugal by at the end of the half Tiago headed the ball wide. But the Portuguese did finish the opening forty five minutes on top.

Into the second and the first real chance fell to Portugal when Almeida strike deflected off Puyol's thigh going just wide. Sadly this was the closest that they came in the second half as they lacked any real menace going forward.

Torres, who still looks out of sorts, was replaced by Llorente in the fifty eighth minute and he almost made an immediate impact when he Eduardo saved his diving header.

Villa came close just seconds later when he curled a shot wide and we didn't have to wait long for the deadlock to be broken. And it came courtesy of Villa.

There was some nice short passing in the box from the Spaniards before Xavi backheeled the ball into the path of Villa who had his first shot saved but was on hand to net the rebound.

Portugal just couldn't pull themselves together and looked totally at sea as they couldn't find an equaliser. Spain could have added to their lead when Ramos, Villa and Llorente all came close.

But one goal was to be enough to see Spain into the last eight where they will now play Paraguay for a spot in the semi final.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw