Carlos expects ‘great show of football’

Queiroz’s Portugal meet the European champions in a highly-anticipated World Cup knockout clash at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Spain are revered for their footballing philosophy based on the ‘tiki-taka’ passing play of Barcelona, but Portugal have won plaudits too, not least for a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in the group stage.

Queiroz has warned his side they must forget such previous performances and move on to a new level.

“This is going to be extremely difficult,” he said. “Spain and Portugal play a style of football that, although somewhat similar, there are a number of differences between the two teams.

“I believe it’s going to be a great game of football, a game with a lot of creativity, imagination, speed and great moves. At this stage, the round of 16, I expect a great show of football.”

Queiroz believes the historic nature of the clash between two sides will only add extra spice.

“It is a regional rivalry between the teams and it is also a social, cultural and historical rivalry between two nations,” he said.

“Therefore the game between Portugal and Spain is always a mouth-watering game, I’m sure of that. Just like ‘derbies’ between, say, England and Germany.”

While respectful of Spain’s threat, the former Real Madrid coach will ask his side to maintain their attacking ethos.

“We want to win this game from the very first minute,” he added. “We don’t know whether the duration of the game will be 90 minutes, 120 minutes or a penalty shoot-out. When you play a game of this nature, all that counts is that we move forward and score.

“My philosophy is that in a game of this nature, as a coach you have to take some risks.

“Our passes have to be decisive if we want to defeat Spain. We have to defend well, attack well and a Portuguese team always has to be on the attack.”

He continued: “Spain has a great team, a very balanced team with great tradition and fantastic results.

“They are European champions but they are 11 players, just like us, and I expect it to be a great match. Our chances of progressing are as good as theirs.

“They have a good team but we also have a good team with first-class players at our disposal.”

Danny is unlikely to keep his place in the Portugal side due to an injury suffered in the final group game against Brazil, but playmaker Deco should return from a hip problem.

The geographical neighbours entered this summer’s showpiece among the favourites to go all the way, with both having fared admirably at recent tournaments.

Portugal finished as runners-up at Euro 2004 and fourth at the 2006 World Cup, while Spain made the last 16 four years ago and took the spoils at the 2008 European Championship.

The weight of expectation perhaps weighed heavy on both teams during the group stages, as they offered only glimpses of their awe-inspiring best.

Spain lost their opening encounter to Switzerland, before recovering well to see off Honduras and Chile and top Group H.

Portugal finished second to Brazil in Group G, with a 7-0 demolition of North Korea undoubtedly their highlight so far.

Queiroz’s side are also the only team left in the competition yet to concede a goal, having been held 0-0 by Ivory Coast and Brazil in their other two games.

Spain will be hoping that their attacking weapons start to fire as the World Cup enters the knockout stages, while Portugal have also yet to see the best from their main men.

Fernando Torres has so far failed to find the target for the Spanish, and looks far from match sharp, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been unable to produce the sparkling form which earned him the 2009 World Player of the Year award.

All that could be about to change, though, as both nations boast considerable experience and match-winning firepower within their ranks.

Spain’s quest for a quarter-final place has been hampered by the news that Xabi Alonso looks set to be unavailable to Vicente del Bosque.

He sustained an ankle knock during the final group fixture against Chile and is struggling to prove his fitness.

Should he miss out, his place in the starting XI is expected to go to Javi Martinez – who replaced him against Chile.

Spain will also be without Real Madrid centre-half Raul Albiol, who has an ankle injury of his own.