World Cup Game #56

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Spain vs Portugal had all the promise of being a real attacking extravaganza and it was certainly that early in the game. However the Spanish ability to keep possession meant that they could exert more consistent pressure whereas the Portuguese were more erratic here - indeed, overall possession for the game was about 60:40 in Spain's favour. Torres for Spain and Ronaldo for Portugal both had largely forgettable nights and it was noticeable that the sole goal of this game came after Torres finally got substituted and Villa was far more ably supported by Llorente. After that, it turned into the David Villa Show as he attacked again and again and generally caused utter mayhem in the Portuguese defence. He didn't score again and was substituted off just before the end of the game but he had already made the difference he needed to - that solitary goal which was all that divided the two teams.