"There is certainly a historical opportunity for us," admitted the 33-year-old Inter Milan playmaker. "Our last semifinal was in 1966.

"We're very proud to be among the best eight teams in the world but we cannot think about being champions of the world, only the match against England.

"It's a great honour to be in this position right now, but we are going to the game just to win.

"The past is there to remember but it cannot really help over the 90 minutes on the pitch.

"We're showing a great mentality in this competition and we hope to beat England in all ways. They too have a great mentality but we have to show the greater."

Figo, who will be hoping for a happier outing for him personally this time round against England after being substituted in the Euro 2004 quarterfinal, acknowledged the strength of an England team that has stuttered its way through the group phases (two wins and a draw) and sneaked a 1-0 win over Ecuador in the second round.

"I respect England. We know they're a very good team and have really good players," he said.

But he stressed that games of this magnitude came down to the smallest of errors.

"These types of game are decided by small things. The most important thing is to concentrate throughout the 90 minutes so no mistakes are made."

Figo admitted that his side had not as yet practised taking penalty kicks, but had a word of praise for goalkeeper Ricardo, who scored in the penalty shootout victory over England in the Euro 2004 quarterfinal as well as saving Darius Vassell's spotkick, in the eventuality that it came down to spot-kicks.

"Until now we didn't practise them so much. Maybe today (Thursday) or Friday the coach will tell us to practise.

"I think Ricardo is good at stopping penalty kicks. But it depends on a lot of things at that moment."

Figo also vowed to put his personal friendship with his England counterpart David Beckham to one side.

Figo played with Beckham at Real Madrid before he moved on to Inter Milan last season when he found himself largely surplus to requirements at the Spanish giants.

"David's a very good friend of mine. I spent a good time with him in Madrid. I respect him as a player and I don't pay attention to his critics.

"He always gives his best for his country. He's the captain of England and one of the best players we have in football at the moment."

But Figo warned that those sentiments would be put to one side come the weekend and a game that will see the winner play a mouth-watering semifinal against either Brazil or France.

"I just expect that on Saturday night I'll be more happy than him," smiled the Portuguese midfielder.