The language of battle is an element of aggression, he says, that gets the job done. It has helped toughen the Portuguese, whose pretty play has never won them anything.

They outlasted England in a quarterfinal match Saturday and prevailed on penalties 3-1.

"I want my players to show that spirit against all their adversaries, however big a name they are," Scolari said afterward.

For all his tough-guy talk, Scolari has a softer side.

In training, he often teases his players and shares jokes with them. Twice while in Germany, he has let players fly home to be present at the birth of their children.

The players are full of praise and admiration for their coach and have said publicly they want him to stay after his contract expires at the end of the month.

"Nowadays all teams have quality players and they're all at a similar level. But (Scolari) has brought us that little something extra," Ricardo said.