Portugal striker Pauleta is puzzled by the amount of criticism England have received for their performances at the World Cup.

The English media has barely had a good word to say about Sven-Goran Eriksson's team since they arrived in Germany, but Pauleta believes much of the coverage has been unfair.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's quarter-final clash in Gelsenkirchen, the 33-year-old said: "People have been saying England are playing badly. I don't agree. They have won games and they haven't conceded too many goals.

"Everybody was also saying Spain were playing the best football at the World Cup and, look, they are out.

"However people think England are playing, this is going to be a difficult game - all the games at this stage are.

"England have a squad full of good players and Saturday's game will be decided by small things, small details.

"I only hope the details work in Portugal's favour."