No fear of giving Spain too much respect: Pereira

Portugal have no inferiority complex about defending champions Spain, impressive Portuguese fullback Joao Pereira said on Sunday.

The 28-year-old - whose slide rule pass set up Cristiano Ronaldo for the Portugal skipper's first goal in the 2-1 win over Holland - added that Spain were not favourites as both sides possessed players who could turn matches.

"Each side has a 50% chance (of qualifying for the final," said the former Sporting Lisbon defender, who signed for Spanish side Primera Liga outfit Valencia in May for a reported 3.5million euros.

"We must have a healthy respect for Spain, but we are not going to respect them too much, because we too have great players, of great value to us."

"But we know the semi-final will not be an easy game. It is imperative not to think of the final while playing the semi-final.