Cape Town was treated to one of its best soccer matches yet, as the world’s second- and third-ranked teams battled it out in their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Round of 16 match on Tuesday night.

Those lucky enough to get tickets witnessed some of the world’s top footballers – including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres and David Villa – in action.

Spain played convincingly to beat their arch-rivals Portugal 1-0, meaning Portugal is out of the World Cup™ and reigning European champions Spain will play Paraguay in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Spain seemed to dominate the game, with nifty passes and numerous unsuccessful shots at goal. But Portugal also had moments when it could have scored, showing just how balanced and evenly matched the neighbouring countries’ teams are.

The stadium was packed with 62 955 fans who eagerly blew their vuvuzelas and participated in the obligatory Mexican waves. One corner of vocal Spanish supporters even managed to beat their drums above the drone of the vuvuzelas.

The Spanish supporters erupted when David Villa finally managed to score in the 63rd minute – his fourth goal of the World Cup™.

The rainy and cold conditions earlier in the day mercifully let up, with fans able to make the most of the Fan Walk en route to the stadium, and even see the waning moon make a spectacular appearance over the stadium during the second half.

The pitch appears to be holding up well after six games at the stadium.

The low score and evenly-matched teams meant the game lacked some of the thrill of Portugal's last performance at Cape Town Stadium, in which it thrashed Korea DPR 7-0. It also lost its record of not having conceded any goals during the World Cup™. But Spain's goal also meant the teams were spared the penalty shootouts which Japan and Paraguay had to endure earlier in the day.