Ricardo unusually removed his gloves during Portugal's penalties win over England in the Euro 2004 quarter-finals, when he saved from Darius Vassell before thumping home the winning kick himself.

"That wasn't something planned, it was totally spontaneous," Ricardo said.

"But for the team to qualify I would even take my trousers off."

He added that Portugal were working hard on their spot-kicks with the knock-out stages looming.

Portugal head into Wednes-day's final Group D game against Mexico after securing their place in the last 16 with wins against Angola and Iran.

"We've been practising penalties," Ricardo said.

Ricardo was controversially picked ahead of long-time Portugal 'keeper Victor Baia by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for Euro 2004.

But he grew in stature after his quarter-final heroics, and has now become the first Portuguese goalkeeper to open a World Cup with two clean sheets.

"That's nice but the most important thing is that we have got a place in the last 16," Ricardo said. "But I feel really proud we kept our door shut."

Rising star Miguel, who terrorised Iran's defence in Saturday's 2-0 win with his runs from right back, heaped praise on Scolari for taking Portugal into the knock-out stages for the first time in 40 years.

He said Scolari, who coached Brazil to the world title in 2002, had improved Portugal's preparations and worked to stamp out the fragility that saw them flop in 1986 and 2002.

"Scolari gives us a psychological advantage," he said. "Now we have learned to take every game as seriously as we should."

The last time Portugal qualified from the group stage was in 1966, when thanks to Eusebio's nine goals they reached the semi-finals before being beaten by eventual champions England.

They floundered in a relatively easy group in 1986 and were surprisingly sent packing in 2002 after defeats to the United States and South Korea.

Portugal needs only a draw against Mexico to finish top of Group D and avoid a likely match-up with Argentina, the tournament's most impressive team so far.