The Portuguese have secured a berth to the last 16 with six points from two wins over Angola and Iran. A win or tie against Mexico will award them the first place of the group, setting up a next round clash with Argentina or the Netherlands.

Mexico have four points after beating Iran 3-1 and drawn goalless with Angola, and a win or a tie in their last Group D clash, or an Angola loss or tie against Iran, will also send them through.

But neither of the sides can risk banking on a draw as a loss could spell the end of the tournament for Mexico and a less favorite position for Portugal in the next round.

If Angola beat Iran and Mexico lose, the Africans and North Americans will be divided only by goal difference.

And Portugal would prefer to take the Dutch who lost to them 2-1 in the semifinals of the European Championships in 2004, rather than the Argentines whose 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro made them high-rated to be a more possible winner over the Netherlands in their last encounter later on Wednesday.

The Portuguese remain a strong favorite for the match after an unbeaten run in competitive matches that stretches back to February 2005.

It's the first time in 40 years for Portugal to reach the second round. They last made it in 1966 when the Portuguese went on to lose to eventual winners England in the semifinals.

In addition, the Portuguese could be relaxed heading for Wednesday's match, and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has said on Tuesday that he would leave out all five booked players to avoid a possible ruling out for the knockout round.

Winger Cristiano Ronaldo and defender Nuno Valente have been marked in Portugal's first game against Angola, and playmaker Deco,striker Pauleta and midfielder Costinha earned yellows in the Iranclash.

"We are going to make five substitutions, as is normal when players have yellow cards," said the World Cup winning coach in 2002 with Brazil at a news conference on Tuesday. "The five won't play, even if Mexico are winning 30-0."

Mexico, however, are far more concerned about the result on Wednesday, while both history and team inspiration are showing an uneasy prospect.

They were held to a surprise goalless draw by Angola, and foundit hard to fit in the big shoes as the fourth seeds for the tournament with a dreadful record against European opponents.

Mexico have won just one of their last 10 World Cup matches against European sides. In four of their five forays past the first round, their campaign floundered against teams from Europe.

Also, striker Jared Borgetti will remain unavailable with injury, though he is still expected to recover to play if Mexico makes the round of 16.