When Portugal hosts Spain in Braga on Tuesday, coach Fernando Santos declared that his squad would not accept a draw to go to the Nations League finals.
Spain lost at home to Switzerland on Saturday, while Portugal, the 2019 tournament's inaugural champion, climbed to the top of Group A2 with a 4-0 victory over the Czech Republic.
The team of Santos now has a two-point advantage over its neighbors going into the final group game.
He added that we simply need to concentrate on winning rather than making it to the last four.
"I want the players to approach Spain like any other opponent: on their merits. By doing that, we will always be moving in the right direction."
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United scored twice against the Czech Republic as Portugal overcame a setback in Switzerland in June.
Santos has an entirely healthy roster to pick from, with Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix having resumed training after missing the game last weekend.
Seasoned center-back The only original member of the team who is absent due to injury is Pepe.
Portugal is preparing for its World Cup opener against Ghana on November 24, ahead of matches with Uruguay and South Korea in Group H in Qatar.