Can Spain be stopped at this World Cup?

La Roja are into the quarter-finals of the sport's biggest tournament for the first time since 2010 — when they won the whole thing — thanks to a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday.

The scoreline was flattering to the Portuguese, who struggled to create chances against a well-drilled Spanish defence, and the few opportunities they did get were easily handled by goalkeeper Unai Simón. Monday's Iberian Derby was much more one-sided than the final result indicated, and Mikel Merino's stoppage-time goal served to put an exclamation point on a well-deserved victory.  

• Read next | Tactical analysis: How Spain's midfield patience finally broke Portugal's defensive resolve

It wasn't the prettiest of matches, as neither side could make the free-flowing football often associated with them work. But what Spain has shown so far in this World Cup is that they can adapt to each game as needed, and against their neighbours, they required a patient, stifling approach. There was no danger of Portugal hitting back with quick transitions, especially with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo leading the line, so the Spanish were free to hold possession, press when needed, and simply wait until the right time to strike.

Contrast that to Spain's previous match, a 3-0 drubbing of Austria in the round of 16 that could have been even more lopsided. And in the group stage, La Roja alternated from being patient pragmatists to lethal killers, with their tournament-opening scoreless draw against Cabo Verde followed by a 4-0 drubbing of Saudi Arabia and a tight 1-0 victory over Uruguay.

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Throughout it all, head coach Luis de la Fuente has not been afraid to use the full squad as Spain has employed a different starting XI in all five of their matches. The only constants have been the back line and goalkeeper, who have seen minimal tinkering amid a five-match clean sheet streak in North America, and now the team heads into the quarter-finals with the best defensive record in the tournament.

With the winning side from Monday night's USA-Belgium match on deck for the Spaniards, they'll once again be the favourites in their next match, this time with a spot in the semi-finals on the line.

At this point, it would be foolish to bet against them earning another clean sheet, and as the competition progresses, the question of "which country can stop Spain?" begins to narrow down to fewer and fewer possible answers.

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