Portugal had no effective counter to Spain's masterful movements which allowed them to manage possession for long spells in their 1-0 victory in Tuesday night's 2010 World Cup last 16 round clash at the Cape Town Stadium, in Green Point.
Carlos Queiroz, the Portugal coach, paid tribute to Spain at the post-match conference where he admitted his Seleccao das Quinas had no answer to the opposition's grip on the match - and the ball, for that matter.
"It was an extremely difficult game in general terms because Spain moved the ball so well," said Queiroz. "They had a greater degree of possession and in the end their win was justified.
"Portugal's 2010 campaign is now over and I want to wish Spain success until the end.”
Queiroz said despite the defeat, his charges will return home with their heads held high.
"Our team played with a great degree of dignity, passion and ambition and I believe the Portuguese supporters will have good reason to feel, and justifiably so, that the team did the country proud.
"We wanted to do well, and losing is not satisfactory. Our main goal was to win."
