The European Champions came through a intense match against rivals Portugal on where David Villa was the hero with the only goal of the game. Spain will now play Paraguay in the Quarter Finals of the World Cup, while Portugal will be on the 1st flight back to Lisbon to lick their wounds. Will Carlos Querioz be in charge for a 2nd term? who knows.

The only downside to come of this game for Spain is the form of Liverpool front man Fernando Torres, who has looked sluggish in this tournament and has been lacking fitness after having a Knee operation 4 weeks before the tournament.

The first half was even-steven as both sides tested out the opposition keepers with both front men for Spain Torres and Villa produced fines saves from Eduardo who has been one of the top keepers in the world cup so far. Twice Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by his Real Madrid team-mate Casillias who looked a bit jittery in goal. Tiago also tested out the Spanish keeper and once again he looked nervous in goal.

Early in the 2nd half Fernando Torres was taken off and was replace by Fernando Llorente and Llorente was denied by Eduardo when his diving header was palmed away by the keeper. Moments later David Villa tricked his way from the left and his curling effort when agonisingly past the post. With these two chances you could sense Spain were edging closer to the opening goal. They got it on the 63rd Minute when David Villa beat the offside trap thanks to a lovely flick and has initial effort saved but Villa netted the re-bound. After conceding Portugal looked short of ideas and Ronaldo looked a shadow of the player he is. In the dying moments of the game Portugal had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off the ball incident with Juan Capdevilla.

So Spain march on can they do the double like France did 10 years ago?