Portugal’s captain Luis Figo believes the hosts are gaining momentum after victory over Spain sent them through to the quarter finals.
“We’re improving with every game and we showed the country they can look forward to better things,” he said.
“When the last game decides everything and you’re playing at home the pressure upon you is high.
“But in general terms we did a great job and let’s see what we can do in the quarter finals.”
Potrugal’s fortunes have improved since their shock opening day defeat to Greece, but Figo believes that the weight of expectation as hosts got the better of the team that day.
“The first game wasn’t easy for us.
“It was the opening game and there was a lot of pressure on us and all the players were worried about that pressure.”
Figo’s view was echoed by Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari.
“We were bad in the first game against Greece and so we had to bet everything on the other matches,” said Scolari.
“Fortunately, we won and we’re happy. I want to send congratulations to the public, which weren’t the 12th player, but the 13th and the 14th.
“Without them we wouldn’t have had all this force to fight to qualify.
“I only want to go ahead with the players.They did it, they passed to the next stage, now nobody knows what is going to happen.”
