The 31-year-old stressed the contest was not being seen as a grudge match, even though Portugal knocked England out of Euro 2004 at the quarter-final stage. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Portugal manager, was also in charge of Brazil when they beat England at the last World Cup, but Beckham was keen to play down any sense of revenge being an incentive.

"I think for every one of us, it would mean the world to go further than we have in this competition before," said Beckham. "It's not a personal battle against Scolari or Portugal."

Beckham was keen to sing the praises of Portugal's players, and also their manager. "He is a great manager, a good person, but we are very relaxed going into this game and we're looking forward to it," he said.

Asked about comments from Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, who accused England of playing negative football against Ecuador, Beckham was diplomatic. "We feel under pressure to perform and win games, and that's what it's all about - winning games."

Saturday's match could be Beckham's last at a World Cup should England lose, but he argued: "I wouldn't say it's my biggest game because I've been lucky enough in my career to have be involved in big matches before."

"It's a big game for our nation and there's a lot of players looking forward to this game. Seeing the way the fans are at home, we've always said when we've won big games that to see the fans' reaction is incredible."

Portugal drew criticism for their behaviour in the last 16 win over Holland during which two players were sent off for either side, but Beckham insists he would relish the physical confrontation should the game be of a similar nature and has no concerns about the choice of Argentinian referee, Horacio Elizondo, who once sent the midfielder off for Manchester United.

"It's the English mentality, we love physical games with a high tempo and if tackles are flying in, we'll enjoy that," said Beckham. "Whichever referee comes in and referees the game he'll have a tough job to do. There a two teams who want to go to the semi-finals and want to win the game and are very passionate so it needs a strong referee and I'm sure he is."

Sven-Göran Eriksson will have a full complement of players available, Michael Owen aside, after Gary Neville declared himself fit to play against Portugal. The defender was put through his paces at England's training base in Baden-Baden and showed no signs of the calf injury that he feared would end his World Cup.

"I've trained the last two days and have no problems with my calf. The manager will make his decision and whatever he decides I will go along with," said the Manchester United captain.