Spain boss eager to make history

Villa breaks down stubborn Portugal

Coach Vicente Del Bosque believes Spain have recaptured their confidence after eventually brushing aside Portugal to book a quarter-final against Paraguay.

Running out 1-0 winners, the pre-tournament favourites truly clicked into gear for the first time in South Africa to wear down a stubborn defence.

"Our confidence is rising and we want to make history," said Del Bosque. "We know we're working well."

Despite a rich pedigree in the club game, Spain have never won a World Cup.

A semi-final against either Germany or Argentina - who have won the competition five times between them - awaits, if Spain overcome Paraguay in Johannesburg on Saturday.

We're taking it step by step. We know the potential we have Spain striker David Villa

That last-eight match looked a distant prospect as play resumed after half-time in Cape Town, with Portugal frustrating the European champions and Fernando Torres struggling to make an impact as he feels his way back from a troublesome knee injury.

However, a decisive move just before the hour from Del Bosque, replacing the Liverpool striker with Atletico Bilbao's target man Fernando Llorente, transformed the fortunes of Spain.

Within minutes of Llorente's arrival Spain had taken the lead through David Villa following a brilliantly intricate passing move and after that they looked more fluid than at any point so far during the tournament.

"The match was extremely intense," conceded Del Bosque. "In the second half, we were better than Portugal. We had greater depth in our play and we controlled the game very well.

"We felt comfortable but you have to be careful because things can change quickly."

Speaking of Torres, Del Bosque added: "Fernando worked hard, as we all have over the past month.

Highlights - Spain 1-0 Portugal

"The substitution was made because Torres had done a lot of running and we needed fresh legs. Llorente had a very good final half-hour. It wasn't a change of tactics. Llorente gave us vitality."

Villa, who Spanish champions Barcelona signed from Valencia for £35m just before the tournament, now has four goals to his name in South Africa and is looking like a strong contender for player of the tournament, as well as top scorer.

"We're taking it step by step," he said. "We've left a very difficult rival behind. We know the potential we have. Paraguay are another difficult rival."

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