Before the tournament started, this game would have been seen as a banker for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
Instead a very impressive display against Brazil by North Korea has heightened the expectation that they could upset the so-far disappointing Portuguese.
Against Brazil, the Koreans demonstrated a very solid defence, with both goals they conceded created by individual brilliance from Maicon and Robinho.
They also looked very fit and adept on the break, as evidenced by Ji Yun-Nam’s goal and by the general play of their chief striker Jong Tae-Se.
It all adds up to a headache for Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz. His side were outplayed for large parts of their 0-0 draw against the Ivory Coast and they created little in the way of a goal threat.
Ronaldo was also subdued, perhaps due to an early booking, and they need him to break his two-year drought in front of goal in a Portuguese shirt.
An inability to break down the organised Ivory Coast defence does not bode well for Queiroz and neither Liedson or Danny looked up to the required standard to finish any chances they do create.
With Deco nursing an injury, Simao or Thiago may start, but all eyes will be on Ronaldo to see if he can hit his Real Madrid-form.
If he can, he should be the difference. If he can’t, we could be in for another shock.