Spain vs. Portugal World Cup 2010: Villa Impresses as Spain Moves On

Spain beat European rivals Portugal 1-0, while Paraguay became the fourth South American team in the quarterfinals with a penalties win over Japan after a tiresome 0-0 draw.

Spain 1-0 Portugal (Match Grade: B-)

What is it about the World Cup favorites? How difficult are they making life for themselves? Spain looked beatable for some good parts of tonight—particularly when they were being attacked on the wings, but David Villa scored yet again to give Spain the victory.

Fernando Torres had a sharp first two minutes, but was so bad after that that people were asking themselves: Is one of the best strikers in Europe injured? Or possibly, was he just rubbish?

The weapons that Spain have in the midfield are exceptional—Portugal were never really allowed to get the ball from them in the last 20 minutes of the game-with Xavi, Iniesta, and Alonso, making sure that Cristiano Ronaldo didn't get a major sniff tonight.

However, we'd like to ask this question: Are the Spanish side, one of the top World Cup favorites, really that good at the back? It's hard to be convinced by the Spanish at defense. They had trouble with set-pieces, and Iker Casillas never looked comfortable.

We think they'll beat Paraguay, but we won't be surprised if they succumb to Argentina or Germany in the semifinal.

Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay Win 5-4 on Penalties, Match Grade: F)

This was an ugly game that would have had any neutral fan walking away and any seasoned football watcher reaching for the remote. Heck, the penalties weren't even that exciting.

The game was also a crapper for the noisy Japanese contingent.

Sorry. And for Paraguay? The journey will stop with Spain in the quarterfinals.

Hopefully.