Spain midfield lynchpin Xavi has praised the European champions efforts against Portugal, labeling the 1-0 win as their best performance of the World Cup so far.
The Barcelona midfield maestro stressed the importance of the first goal and said that credit must go to Spain's defense for keeping Cristiano Ronaldo quiet throughout the round of 16 tie in Cape Town.
"We have played an intelligent game. We've been great on defense. It was a great Spain in the second half. We have been at a very good level, our best match," he noted afterward before the assembled media.
"The key was to score first. Portugal lives on how their defense plays. We countered their counter-attack well, except for one chance to Simao. Eduardo, their goalkeeper, has been phenomenal and that's why we failed to score more goals. He even saved El Guaje's first shot for the goal.
"We had control of the game, completely and based on a solid defense. We have done a fantastic job. It's a credit to our defense that a man like Ronaldo disappeared from the game."
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