The Lisbon battle between the two Iberian neighbours was a game neither wanted to play until the final but with a quarter-final place at stake, it has been the only talking point in the capital for days.
"It's all or nothing," was the headline in the sober Lisbon daily Diario de Noticias on Sunday. Portugal must win the Group A match (1845 GMT) to make the quarter-finals.
Only a victory for Portugal and a defeat for Greece in the other game in Faro could send both Spain and Portugal through. With Greece in excellent form and Russia already eliminated fans were preparing for the tournament's first high-profile casualty.
The final round of group matches was also causing concern for the coaches of Italy, the Netherlands and even champions France.
In a vivid demonstration of the tension in the Italian camp, striker Christian Vieri marched out of a news conference vowing not to speak to the Italian press again.
Italian newspapers reported on Sunday that Vieri, criticised for his disappointing displays, had argued with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after Friday's 1-1 draw with Sweden.
"This is the last day that I speak to you," Vieri said. "You can say what you want about me as a player but when you offend me a person, well ... I am more of a man than all of you put together." Italy play Bulgaria in Group C on Tuesday.
NOTHING NEW
Arguments are nothing new to the Dutch squad, who are in danger of going out of the tournament after losing a thrilling game against the Czech Republic 3-2 on Saturday.
Dutch players told coach Dick Advocaat they did not agree with the decision to take off winger Arjen Robben and replace him with defensive midfielder Paul Bosvelt when the Czechs were trailing 2-1.
"The players had their own view," Advocaat said. "They would have liked to have carried on the way we were playing.
"I don't regret the substitution. On the bench I felt we were not controlling the match."
France are not so prone to public disagreements but the players are concerned about the tactics used in a 2-2 draw with Croatia in their last Group B match.
L'Equipe reported that captain Marcel Desailly and playmaker Zinedine Zidane went to coach Jacques Santini to plead for a change in their 4-4-2 line-up.
"The coach listened carefully to the two players," said L'Equipe. "But he has not given any answer to their request yet."
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