But self-belief is fragile. On Spanish national radio, announcers are counting the days until Spain reaches the final.
"There's nothing like that on our national radio," Carvalho said. "We are giving a lot of importance to the problem the team is facing, rather than the strong points."
Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is likely to start a younger generation of players on Sunday, led by 19-year Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, as veteran players are replaced.
The sports daily O Jogo calls it "the makeover before Aljubarrota."
Portugal likes to think of itself as the "Brazil of Europe." But it's never won a major title.
In Real Madrid, Spain has the world's most famous club. But the national team's only major title was 40 years ago in this tournament. Underachieving has become a habit in the World Cup.
The games they play are as different as their national music. Portuguese love the mournful, pensive Fado; Spaniards, heel-clicking Flamenco.
"To understand the difference between our soccer, look at bullfighting," said Rui Ventura, a 32-year youth soccer coach in Elvas. "The Spaniards are daring, decisive. We are more thoughtful, more technical.
"The Spanish kill the bull, we let the bull leave the ring alive."
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