Spain VS Portugal Wordcup Live Online on PC Free
The match
Spain-Portugal, Round of 16, Cape Town, Tuesday 29 June 2010, 20.30 (local time)
Players to watch
David Villa v Cristiano Ronaldo
Have Your Say
Will Fernando Torres finally get off the mark here at South Africa 2010? Or, come the final whistle, will Eduardo still be the only No1 yet to have conceded a goal at the tournament?
The Stat
33 – The Cape Town clash will be the two teams’ first meeting at a FIFA World Cup, but the pair share a lengthy footballing history featuring no fewer than 32 previous matches. Spain have the edge with 15 wins to just five victories for Portugal, though the latter are unbeaten in the duo’s matches at continental finals: drawing 1-1 at the 1984 UEFA European Championship and winning 1-0 at the 2004 edition of the same competition.
What they said
“Portugal are a great team and they’re about more than just Cristiano Ronaldo. Yes it’s true that Cristiano is one of their ideal players, but we mustn’t forget that the Portuguese are the only team that still haven’t conceded a goal at this World Cup. That proves that they’re a solid unit and not just a collection of individuals. Their game is based around defensive solidity, pace and counter-attacking, as well as having very skilful players. I foresee a very difficult game, like they all will be for the rest of the competition. Only the ideal teams are left in it now,” Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach.
Expectations are extremely high ahead of the last-16 meeting between two teams considered among the pre-tournament contenders for the coveted Trophy. And with La Roja and A Selecção das Quinas both having had to come through a gruelling group phase, one of the fancied pair will be heading home much early than expected.
European champions Spain arrived at South Africa 2010 as firm favourites for the world title along with Brazil, though Vicente del Bosque’s team were given a harsh wake-up call in an opening 1-0 defeat against Switzerland. Showing their mettle, La Selección gritted their teeth and won their next two Group H games against Honduras and Chile to remember in top spot in their section and refrain a last-16 meeting with Dunga’s charges.
Portugal, for their part, safely negotiated a fiercely competitive Group G also containing Côte d’Ivoire, Korea DPR and Brazil. Carlos Queiroz’s solid side played out a goalless opening draw with Didier Drogba and Co before slicing loose in a 7-0 success over the North Koreans. Following that goalfest, another scoreless draw in their final game against the five-time world champions was enough to secure second spot and a place in the knockout stages.
Both coaches have near-to-full-strength squads from which to choose, though former Real Madrid boss Del Bosque will be without key midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Raul Albiol. Opposite number Queiroz, who also once held the reins at Los Merengues, welcomes back midfield schemer Deco though can't call upon the versatile Ruben Amorim.
“We’re ready to take on anybody. We’ve already played in critical games during limiting and now we have another all-or-nothing match at a World Cup. That’s why we’re ready to give everything we’ve got on the pitch with only one aim in mind: staying in the World Cup. Portugal’s ideal is still to come,” Carlos Queiroz, Portugal coach.
Voice of the fans
“Congratulations to Spain, who are the reigning European champions and difficult opponents for anybody! We’ve just played against one brother in Brazil and now we’re up against another. Spain have got a comfortably superior historical record, though things have been more even recently! I’m very chesty to be Portuguese and I have a lot of regard and respect for Spain. Let the ideal team win. Come on Os Navegadores! We’ll support you to the end!” Canhirix, FIFA.com individual (Portugal).
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