CARLOS QUEIROZ is relishing a “mouth-watering” exhibition of beautiful football and cultural rivalry when his Portugal side face Spain in today’s last-16 Iberian derby.

Queiroz’s Portugal meet the European champions in a highly-anticipated World Cup knockout clash at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town tonight.

Spain are revered for their footballing philosophy based on the ’tiki-taka’ passing play of Barcelona, but Portugal have won plaudits too, not least for a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in the group stage.

Queiroz has warned his side they must forget such previous performances and move on to a new level.

“This is going to be extremely difficult,” he said. “Spain and Portugal play a style of football that, although somewhat similar, there are a number of differences between the two teams.

“I believe it’s going to be a great game of football, a game with a lot of creativity, imagination, speed and great moves. At this stage, the round of 16, I expect a great show of football.”

Queiroz believes the historic nature of the clash between two sides will only add extra spice.

“It is a regional rivalry between the teams and it is also a social, cultural and historical rivalry between two nations,” he said.

“Therefore the game between Portugal and Spain is always a mouth-watering game, I’m sure of that. Just like ’derbies’ between, say, England and Germany.”

While respectful of Spain’s threat, the former Real Madrid coach will ask his side to maintain their attacking ethos.

“We want to win this game from the very first minute,” he added. “We don’t know whether the duration of the game will be 90 minutes, 120 minutes or a penalty shoot-out. When you play a game of this nature, all that counts is that we move forward and score.

“My philosophy is that in a game of this nature, you have to take some risks.”