But the Brazilian did not want that to overshadow a win that booked Portugal's second-round place as Group D winners.

"Ten wins in the World Cup is the kind of thing that would mark anybody's life, especially mine," Scolari said.

"This was as tough a game as we had expected, but I asked my players today to make it hard for me to pick my team for the next round, and they did that."

Scolari was in charge of Brazil when they won the 2002 tournament without losing a match in their campaign.

And he has set his sights on a repeat performance in Germany, which would require another four victories after negotiating the group stage with a 100% record.

The win over Mexico, with goals from Maniche and Simao Sabrosa, followed victories against Angola and Iran.

"It wasn't a game where everything was at its best but the way the team carried itself from beginning to end, I think it was good," Scolari added.

"There are three games to go until the final, and they're the hardest.

"We just have to keep working hard each day."