by Tom Allen
Very much a case of beauty taking on the beast on Tuesday evening in the
final last 16 match in South Africa and I'm really looking forward to Spain
versus Portugal.
The Euro 2008 winners arrived at the World Cup considered by many as the team
to beat but an opening 1-0 defeat to Switzerland put them firmly on the back
foot.
Success over Honduras and then a nervy 2-1 win against Chile were enough to
earn progression but Spain haven't quite possessed the fear factor of two
summers ago and certainly look beatable to me.
There is no question they are the side most likely to advance from this clash
with their Iberian neighbours but Spain have, perhaps, lacked a cutting edge in
their three matches so far and chances will be at a premium up against a
Portugal side that simply doesn't concede.
Three clean sheets in the 'Group of Death' for Carlos Queiroz's men was no
mean feat and that sequence means it is now just three goals against in their
past 18 matches.
That run is quite incredible at international level, regardless of the
quality of opposition, and David Villa and Spanish strike partner Fernando
Torres will certainly have to be at their best if they are to penetrate the
Portuguese rearguard.
I'm a big fan of Ricardo Carvalho and, with the Chelsea man seemingly back to
his best, Portugal look virtually impregnable.
Brazil, albeit in a virtual dead-rubber, could not find a way past and it
will probably take something special from the pre-tournament favourites to find
a way through.
With the likes of Xavi and Andreas Iniesta in the middle that is, of course,
more than probable but I couldn't be taking the odds on with 888sport about
Spain winning the tie inside 90 minutes and we could be in for a very long
evening indeed.
Portugal's 7-0 thrashing of North Korea came somewhat out of the blue,
sandwiching two goalless draws against the Samba Boys and Ivory Coast, but they
showed more than glimpses of their very best then and you get the impression
that Cristiano Ronaldo is just about ready to burst into life.
Ronaldo, at the heart of everything good about Portugal as an attacking force
in that romp, knows all about the Spanish side from his first season at Real
Madrid and this could be the big international match when he finally delivers
for his country.
There is little doubt that Portugal will set up to stifle Spain, as they have
done so effectively to opponents already in this tournament, and it is certainly
worth chancing that this goes the distance.
Penalties are a possibility, but it's safe to stick with what we know and
Blue Square's 13/2 about this going to extra time without either side finding
the net is too big.
1pt Back No Goal Scorer (Spain vs. Portugal) @ 13/2 (Blue
Square)
