Spain v Portugal: match preview

Round of 16

Spain v Portugal
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Tue June 29, 7.30 BST
TV: BBC1

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso sprained an ankle in the 2-1 win over Chile and if he is ruled out Vicente del Bosque is expected to bring in Javi Martinez though the former Liverpool star should be fit.

Chelsea full-back Paulo Ferreira returns for Portugal in place of Miguel with striker Liedson starting in place of defender Duda.

Simao Sabrosa is also likely to come in for attacking midfielder Danny.

Interestingly, Spain are the only team who have yet to receive a yellow card, while tournament joint-top scorers Portugal are the only team yet to concede a goal.

Touchline duel

Vicente Del Bosque v Carlos Queiroz

The pressure is on Del Bosque to lead Spain to their first ever World Cup success, particularly as many believe he has one of the best ever squads at his disposal.

Del Bosque was the man at the helm when Madrid could last realistically claim to be Europe's leading footballing force, yet he was sacked after four years in the job before being sacked a day after leading Real to their 29th title.



In opposition is another former Real Madrid coach, with Carlos Queiroz determined to impress, having taken South Africa to the finals in 2002 he fell out with the authorities and was denied the chance to lead them.

Talking tactics

Both teams are expected to use a 4-3-3 formation and, on paper, Spain’s front three is potent, yet Fernando Torres has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored for Portugal, against North Korea, after a barren 16-month spell, but this is a much bigger test for the former Manchester United favourite.

Key clash

Fernando Torres v Eduardo

Eduardo’s rise to become Portugal’s first choice goalkeeper began when he was in his mid-twenties. But he conceded only 20 goals in 30 Portuguese League games last season and in three games at the World Cup he has yet to be beaten.

The Liverpool striker, who underwent surgery on a troublesome knee injury in April, came off the bench in the defeat by Switzerland then started against Honduras and Chile, but in 154 minutes at the finals the player nicknamed El Niño - The Kid - has yet to find the net.

What thay are saying

Vicente Del Bosque: "We've seen how Portugal controlled the game against Brazil, hitting them on the counter-attack. I take no satisfaction from the fact we're up against Portugal instead of Brazil. They are both great national teams."

Carlos Queiroz: "We can't go into the round of 16 simply on reputation or statistics. The players now have to deliver the goods.”

Teams (probable)

Spain (4-3-3): Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila; Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso; Iniesta, Torres, Villa.
Portugal (4-3-3): Eduardo; Ferreira, Alves, Carvalho, Liedson; Meireles, Pepe, Tiago; Sabrosa, Ronaldo, Coentrao.
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina).

Previous Meetings

Played 32: Spain 15 wins, Draws 12, Portugal 5

WCQ: Spain 3 wins, Draws 1, Portugal 0 wins

Last five meetings

1991: (Castellon De La Plana, Friendly): Spain 1 Portugal 1
1992: (Torres Novas, Friendly): Portugal 0 Spain 0
1994: (Vigo, Friendly): Spain 2 Portugal 2
2001: (Barcelona, Friendly): Spain 1 Portugal 1
2003: (Lisbon, Friendly): Portugal 0 Spain 3
2004: (Lisbon, EC): Spain 0 Portugal 1

Fact: This is Spain’s 50th game in the World Cup finals.

Prediction: Both are capable of winning the World Cup but Spain should win.