Spain Into Quarterfinals After 1-0 Victory Over Portugal

Ricardo Costa has been shown a straight red card near the end of Portugal’s match with Spain.

Risen for a cross from the left flank, Costa swung his left arm, hitting Joan Capdevilla in the side of the head with his elbow. In the 89th minute, Costa was dismissed, leaving Portugal to play out the matches’ last minutes down a man.

Granted, the suspension may not be enforced until qualifying for the 2012 European Championships, but a foul in midfielder by Portuguese midfielder Thiago means he will miss Portugal’s next match.

If Portugal advances, that suspension will be served in the quarterfinal against Paraguay.

Of course, it had to be David Villa who would put Spain in front, even if it took 62 minutes to do it, but a pass with the outside of the foot from Andrés Iniesta, a touch from Xavi and a run from Villa has Spain in front 1-0 with two-thirds of the match done.

The move for the goal started at the edge of the box, with Andres Iniesta moving from goal right-to-left. The midfielder flicked a ball to Xavi in traffic, who got a slight touch on to David Villa behind the defense. Villa, coming from the left flank, put his first shot into the oncoming Eduardo, but the rebound was lifted over the `keeper, just under the crossbar for the opening goal.

Simultaneously, both coaches have made their first substitutions of the match, with Spain taking off Fernando Torres while Portugal has withdrawn Hugo Almeida.

For Spain coach Vincente del Bosque, Fernando Llorente will take Torres’s place as the formation’s lone striker. Torres gave Eduardo trouble in the match’s first minute but since has been relatively quiet.

Spanish control of the first half produced few scoring opportunities, with Portugal showing themselves as dangerous by the end of 45 minutes, the countries carrying the spirit of Tordesillas through a scoreless first half.

Spain had shots on goal early through David Villa and Fernando Torres but where unable to threaten Eduardo after the seventh minute. Meanwhile, Portugal caused gasps with a 20-yard shot from Thiago and aerial opportunities for Hugo Almeida and Thiago.

A 20-yard shot from midfielder Thiago caused Spain goalkeeper enough trouble to parry the ball into the air. When it came down, the Real Madrid-man had to punch the ball out as he contested it with Portugal’s Hugo Almeida, Portugal’s best chance of the still young match.

Thiago got the start today over Deco, who was said to be recovered from a hip injury. His shot can against the run of play, giving the crowd in Cape Town their first gasps of the match.

That, not Ronaldo’s talent, is the reason people say that Portugal will only do as far as Ronaldo can carry them.

How The Match Turns: Whether it be from tactics or talent, Portugal’s defense is legitimately good, and del Bosque will have to play with his team if he’s to craft the decisive result the Spanish media and public craves. The longer it takes him to find a way to do that, the longer he gives Ronaldo to get a grip on the match and turn it to Portugal.