He has read well.

So has Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who remained loyal to Ricardo despite criticism of his performances at his club Sporting Lisbon.

"Ricardo is a player very strong mentally," Portugal defender Miguel said Monday. "He was criticized several times after bad moments with his club and with the national team, but since we arrived in Germany I don't recall him going through such a good phase."

Ricardo has helped carry the Portuguese as far as they've ever come in the World Cup.

"I'm happy that goalkeepers have been crucial at this World Cup and are helping their teams go as far as possible," he said.

Which keeper will carry his team to the title?

The stingiest, of course. So far, that's been Buffon.

AP Sports Writers Andrew Dampf in Dortmund, Tales Azzoni in Marienfeld and Jerome Pugmire in Hameln contributed to this story.