Portugal had a nightmare outing in their first FIFA World Cup 2014 match, with Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of his teammates cutting frustrated and downcast figures against Germany.
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Come Sunday in the jungles of Manaus, Portugal will have to be ready for a serious rumble when they take on a buoyant USA in a crucial Group G encounter.
Everything that could go wrong for Portugal went wrong in that match against Germany, with Paulo Bento's team conceding two first half goals, before a moment of madness from Pepe rendered the rest of the match a bit of a damage limitation exercise.
The end result, though, was a morale-sapping 4-0 loss to Germany, and Portugal's bouncebackability will be severely put to the test in their second Group H match against the USA.
Bento made no bones about what Portugal require on Sunday. "Either we win or we start packing our suitcases," he said bluntly. "This is the scenario we have in front of us ... if we draw we are practically packing our suitcases."
Portugal failed to gel as a unit against the efficient Germany, with the likes of Ronaldo, Nani and several other looking like individuals trying to force their will on the game, rather than working with the rest of their teammates as one cohesive unit.
However, Bento insisted he has full faith in this squad of players, with the coach expecting a reaction against the US.
"We have to change the result ... we will go on to the pitch with the same mentality. Just because we lost doesn't mean we have to change anything," he added. "This is the same team that got us to the World Cup, the same team that did well in the last European Championship. We know what we have to do."
For the USA and Jurgen Klinsmann this game will be about building on the dramatic 2-1 victory over Ghana, made possible by a last-gasp winner from John Brooks. Klinsmann will know if his side can get the better of Portugal, then the Americans will seal their place in the last 16, a huge achievement after playing just two games in the group.
"We want to put Cristiano and his team in place," a bullish Klinsmann said. "We want to get out there with all the energy that we have, with all the discipline that we're going to bring, with all the aggression we're going to bring to our play and make it our game.
"For us it's a huge opportunity tomorrow (Sunday) here in Manaus and we will definitely go for it."
The heat and humidity of Manaus will play a factor in the game as well, and the team that adapts better to the weather, will probably come out smiling.
"We're fit and we're conditioned and as long as we get good sleep and stay hydrated we should be fine," USA goalkeeper Tim Howard said.
Team news: Portugal: Ronaldo's knee problem remains a concern, even if there is no doubt that the superstar will take the field on Sunday. Fabio Coentrao has been ruled out of the tournament, while defender Pepe is suspended after his stupid red card against Germany. Striker Hugo Almeida, who left the Germany game early with an injury, is expected to be passed fit, but Bruno Alves is a doubt.
USA: Jozy Altidore has been ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury, and the striker is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by Aron Johansson.
Expected lineups: Portugal: Patricio; Almeida, Costa, Alves, Pereira; Moutinho, Carvalho, Meireles; Nani, Eder, Ronaldo.
USA: Howard; Johnson, Cameron, Besler, Beasley; Bedoya, Beckerman, Bradley, Jones; Johansson, Dempsey.
Prediction: 2-1 to Portugal
