If Portugal fail to beat Romania, it would not be the first time that a side basking in the glory of a brilliant opening performance follow up by losing in what should be a less stern test of their mettle.

And one thing that ought not to be forgotten is that in qualifying for Euro 2000, Portugal not only failed to beat Romania in the two games, they also finished a point behind them.

While many may assume that a side that can overcome a two-goal deficit against England should have no trouble beating a team who could not better a woeful German performance, things may not be so easy for Portugal.

Much has been made of the advancing age of many of these Romania players. But, although they conceded much of the possession against Germany, they are a side able to soak up pressure, which is exactly what they will get from the likes of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Joao Pinto.

Romania's midfield - the mercurial Gheorghe Hagi apart - will not play in the cavalier style that England's did against Portugal. Instead they will perhaps rely on counter-attacks, with Hagi, plus Dorinel Munteanu and Dan Petrescu looking to supply quick ball to strikers Adrian Ilie and Viorel Moldovan.

After the Germany game, Petrescu described Moldovan as the best player on the day. He was the scorer of the goal that opened the scoring and held up the ball well throughout - though he was also guilty of the miss of the tournament to date.

Ilie was a tireless worker throughout - and if he and Moldovan can keep knocking at the Portuguese door, they may find a way through. Because while the likes of Abel Xavier, Jorge Costa and Manuel Dimas are terrific supporting the midfield, they are not the best out-and-out defenders in the world.

Instead, this may be the moment for Portugal's hard man at the back, Fernando Couto, to have his day. Couto was uncharacteristically quiet in the victory over England. But he should come good in the less expansive game that Romania play.

Portugal's coach Humberto Coelho, who has sensibly been warning against over-confidence, has various options. One is to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, and another is to bring in Paulo Sousa, if he is now fit again.

But he will probably persevere with Nuno Gomes now. The 23-year-old Benfica striker had failed to score in eight previous internationals, but his confidence must be soaring after netting the winner against England.

All in all, there is a toxic array of talent in Portugal's midfield and striking departments and perhaps it will be too much for Romania to take on. The veteran Gheorghe Popescu will need all his experience to cope with the continued forays into his area that he can expect from Figo, Joao Pinto and the others.

And if that wasn't tough enough for Romania, they must also wait to see whether Bogdan Stelea will be fit to play.