DOHA: The knockout places are already secured, but when Portugal and Colombia meet in their final Group K fixture at the FIFA World Cup, the reward extends far beyond simply finishing top of the table.
The match will be played tomorrow (2:30am, Qatar time) in Miami.
Both nations have already booked their places in the Round of 32, yet the winner of this contest could earn what appears to be the more favourable route through the knockout stages.
Portugal arrive after recovering from an opening draw to claim victory in their second match, while Colombia have been one of the standout teams of the group stage, winning both of their opening fixtures to sit comfortably at the summit.
For Roberto Martinez's side, the turnaround has been sparked by the return of their captain. Cristiano Ronaldo ended his World Cup goalscoring drought with a brace in Portugal's victory over Uzbekistan, making him the first person to score in six consecutive world cups. With what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, Portugal know every match could be another step towards the World Cup trophy.
Nestor Lorenzo's side have combined defensive discipline with swift counter-attacking football to collect maximum points from their opening two matches.
Their confidence has only grown with each performance, and finishing as group winners would further strengthen the belief that they can challenge the tournament's traditional powers.
The significance of topping Group K becomes even clearer when looking at the knockout bracket.
The group winners are set to face a third-placed team in the Round of 32 before a potential last-16 meeting with either Switzerland or another third-placed nation.
On paper, it offers a smoother path into the quarter-finals, where Argentina could eventually await, with Brazil or England another possible obstacle later in the competition.
Finishing second presents a far more demanding route.
The runners-up would first meet another second-placed side before a likely Round of 16 showdown against Spain.
Should they progress, potential meetings with the Netherlands, Germany and France loom on the same side of the draw. Both Portugal and Colombia know that earning first place could significantly improve their chances of making a deep run.
Portugal possess one of the tournament's most talented squads. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva continue to dictate play in midfield, while Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto offer pace and directness in wide areas.
Ronaldo's return to scoring form has added another layer of confidence to an attack that appears to be finding its rhythm.
Colombia, meanwhile, boast quality throughout their squad. James Rodriguez remains the creative heartbeat of the team, Luis Diaz continues to trouble defenders with his pace and dribbling, while Jhon Cordoba has emerged as a dangerous focal point in attack.
Their organised defensive structure has been equally impressive.
History between the two nations is surprisingly limited. Portugal and Colombia have met only three times at senior international level. Colombia claimed the first encounter with a 2-1 victory at the 1962 FIFA World Cup, while Portugal won the following two friendly meetings in 2003 and 2011.
Tactically, Portugal are expected to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. Colombia, by contrast, have shown they are comfortable absorbing pressure before breaking quickly, a style that has already caused problems for opponents during this tournament.
By the final whistle, one nation will celebrate finishing top of Group K and, on paper at least, claim the more favourable road through the knockout rounds. Whether that advantage proves decisive remains to be seen, but in a tournament where the smallest margins often shape history, neither Portugal nor Colombia will want to leave first place.
Caption: Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Joao Cancelo warm up during the training session day ahead of match against Colombia.
