Spain secured a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals after a late substitute goal sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal in a round of 16 match held in Arlington, Texas.
A late-game strike by substitute Mikel Merino decided the match, sending Spain to the next round while emotional Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo exited his final career World Cup appearance.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri earned MVP honors after controlling the game with 106 touches, 87 completed passes, and seven ball recoveries, according to espn.
com.
Despite the victory, the team captain highlighted areas where the squad needs refinement ahead of their upcoming knockout stage fixture.
"There's a lot of room for improvement," said Rodri, Spain captain.
The midfielder emphasized that both squads displayed similar styles, but minor tactical precision ultimately decided the final outcome of the knockout match.
"Now we have to rest, and keep improving...
We're very similar teams, we want the ball, and we want to have personality," said Rodri, Spain captain.
He noted that Spain capitalized on their breakthrough moment late in the match to secure the winning goal.
"It's about small details, I've said it before. The first chance we had in the whole game [for Merino's goal] came when we got inside...
It's something to learn from for the next games, we have to be sharper, because we can do a lot of damage," said Rodri, Spain captain.
He further explained that modern football requires faster decision-making when operating in the attacking third of the pitch.
"In football nowadays, in the last third you have to speed things up," said Rodri, Spain captain.
He observed that the decisive play resulted from finding attackers quickly after penetrating the opposition's defensive setup.
"When we broke their lines, we were maybe taking an extra touch. You have to turn quickly and find the players in attack.
That's how the goal came," said Rodri, Spain captain.
Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente defended his midfielder's crucial role and dismissed any public skepticism surrounding his tactical importance to the national squad.
"He can have better or worse days, but he's the leader of this team, he's exceptional," said Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach.
The coach praised the depth of his squad, noting that Spain possesses two of the world's finest talents in the central midfield position.
"He gives us defensive balance as well as in attack. That's why he's the best in the world in his position.
And we have Martín Zubimendi, who's the second-best as well. That's how lucky we are.
Questioning [Rodri] confuses me," said Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach.
Statistics show Spain logged 15 shots on goal but generated just two clear scoring opportunities throughout the match, including an early attempt by Mikel Oyarzabal.
Meanwhile, passionate Portugal supporters packed restaurants and bakeries along James Street North in Hamilton to watch the broadcast, according to reportage from thespec.
com.
La Roja has now reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since their 2010 championship run and will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California.
