Within minutes of Portugal’s elimination from the World Cup, Carlos Queiroz, suggested that his team would ‘hopefully’ play with more ambition the next time they grace this stage.
As David Villa ruthlessly proved, however, by scoring the goal that secured for Spain a quarter-final against Paraguay on Saturday, there is no time like the present to grasp the chance to claim glory.
Spain, with their kaleidoscopic football, are the present and the future. Portugal might be ranked as the third-best team in the world by Fifa, but their negative tactics, with their hopes resting solely on the skills of Cristiano Ronaldo, are thankfully now history at this World Cup.
They appeared frightened to death by the threat posed by Spain’s attacking quartet of Villa, Fernando Torres, Xavi and Andres Iniesta and, when asked by after the game to explain why it had gone so badly wrong, Ronaldo threw the ball firmly at his coach’s feet by replying, "Ask Queiroz."
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