FULL TIME - Match #56 (ROUND OF 16 - #8) -
SPAIN - 1
(Villa 63')
PORTUGAL - 0
Portugal started off the second half in fine style with two superb attempts at goal which fizzed out.
Then, something happened suddenly to the Spanish. They took their game to a whole new level and suddenly the red shirts were pouring again and again into the Portuguese half of the field.
Attacks were relentless as Sergio Ramos and David Villa kept the pressure up till the 63rd minute when Portugal's defenses were finally caught sleeping. Iniesta's shot came off a defender and David Villa was at the right position at the right time.
1 - 0 to Spain.
Then it was a matter of keeping possession, which the Spanish did well into the last 5-6 minutes when Portugal suddenly showed some desperation in their football. Another glaring mistake by the referee resulted in a straight Red Card for Portugal's Costa who wasn't even watching where his own arm was, in his desperation to head the curling ball into the goal. It maybe deserved a Yellow at best, but no way in hell was it a Red Card offense.
The scoreline stayed the same through the 3 minutes of extra time, and the one final assault by the Portuguese fell flat.
Celebrations for Spain. A frustrating loss for Portugal. Christiano Ronaldo was left as just a ghost of his self in the end.
Good but slightly disappointing match to finish off the Round of 16.