Spain 1 Portugal 0:Pre-tournament favourites Spain are back on the charge after a second round win over Portugal secured their place in the last eight against Paraguay. David Villa was once again the matchwinner after he finished a sublime move in the 63rd minute for his fourth goal of the tournament.
After an evenly contested first half, Spain took control of the game and Villa got his just reward, having already forced Portugal's Eduardo into a handful of saves, when lifting the ball over the goalkeeper at the second attempt.
It came at the end of an intricate passing move in and around the box that was instigated by Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, two of his new clubmates at Barcelona. Villa could have had a second when he fired in a 30-yard effort but Eduardo, who was excellent throughout, beat it out of the top corner.
"We felt comfortable but you have to be careful because things can change quickly," said coach Vicente del Bosque. "We know we're working well, we want to create a bit of history."
Portugal's challenge all but ended after the goal, save for some desperate dying kicks in the last few minutes, as the European champions, their Iberian neighbours, refused to give up possession. Their frustration boiled over in the 89th minute when Ricardo Costa appeared to elbow Joan Capdevila in the head and was shown a red card.
"Spain were much more effective moving the ball around," said Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz. "We were looking for chances on the counter-attack. We had our chances - we just didn't score.
"We showed ambition and desire to win but it just wasn't possible. We'll have to come back stronger."
Portugal certainly had chances, most notably in the first half when Hugo Almeida failed to connect with Raul Meireles' cross and when the striker was denied another headed goal by a timely punch form Iker Casillas from underneath his crossbar.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper also needed to be alert for Ronaldo's long range free-kick that dipped and swerved wickedly. His awkward clearance on that occasion was eventually hooked to safety by Gerard Pique.
Spain were miles ahead in the second half, however, bar a nervy moment when Almeida's cross looped off Carles Puyol's knee and agonisingly wide of the backpost.
When the largely ineffective Fernando Torres was replaced by Fernando Llorente the deadlock was so nearly broken by the substitute but his diving header was beaten clear by Eduardo.
Then came Villa's strike and another brilliant save to deny Sergio Ramos on the overlap minutes later. Llorente went close again, as did Villa with a stunning drive, but the second wasn't necessary and Portugal's campaign ended in a whimper.
Earlier,the first penalty shootout of the tournament went the way of Paraguay when Japanese defender Yuichi Komano rattled the crossbar with his side's third effort after the preceding 120 minutes failed to yield a goal at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
For Japan, it was heartache, and the cruellest manner of defeat as they went in search of an historic quarter-final berth and a first Asian win over South American opposition.
For Paraguay, it means a maiden trip into the last eight and a meeting with Spain.
Oscar Cardozo's penalty secured that right. It was Paraguay's fifth after Edgar Barreto, Lucas Barrios, Cristian Riveros and Nelson Valdes had all converted.
“Obviously we are having a party, we’re celebrating together with the rest of the people of Paraguay,” said Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino afterwards.
“I can imagine the happiness of the people there (Paraguay), and of course let them enjoy it.
“I’ve seen the players make a huge effort. It was a very close match and of course now we celebrate the fact we’re in the quarter-finals.”
Japan coach Takeshi Okada took responsibility for his side’s exit.
“In terms of how we played I have no regrets at all," he said, "the players were really wonderful and they’ve been truly proud of being Japanese and representing Asia. I’m proud of them.
“I couldn’t make them win, that’s my responsibility. I didn’t get my emotion across and didn’t make them eager enough. It wasn’t enough on my part.”
Asked about his future, Okada suggested his time as Japan coach may be coming to an end, adding: “In a state of not having any reflection, I don’t think I have anything left to do now.”