Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz admitted on Tuesday that arch-rivals Spain were the better team and deserved to stay in the World Cup, but said his players did themselves proud.

"Spain won with merit," said Queiroz. "But I would also like to underscore the fact that Portugal played with a great degree of dignity and ambition and I believe the fans have justifiable reason to be proud of the way the team has played."

Portugal indeed played a clever game, defending well before launching counter-attacks. But ultimately the statistics speak for themselves, with Spain plundering 19 shots to Portugal's nine.