Rodri shines against Portugal, expecting more from Spain in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals

JAKARTA - Spain captain Rodri said his team still has room for improvement after a 1-0 win in the final minutes against Portugal in the 2026 World Cup 16th round.

The tense match in Arlington, Texas, was decided by a late goal from substitute Mikel Merino.

Cristiano Ronaldo left the field in tears in his final appearance at the World Cup for Portugal - as Spain qualified for the quarter-finals.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was named the MVP of the match after his performance which made him make the most touches (106), complete the most passes (87), and recover the ball most often (7) of all players on the field.

"There is still a lot of room for improvement. Now we have to rest, and continue to improve ourselves. We are a very similar team, we want the ball, and we want to have personality."

"It's about small details, I've said it before. The first opportunity we had in the whole game (for Merino's goal) came when we went inside."

"This is something to learn for the next game. We have to be sharper because we can cause a lot of damage," said Rodri when asked if this was Spain at its best.

"He can have better or worse days, but he is the leader of this team, he is incredible. He gives us balance in defense as well as in attack."

"That's why he's the best in the world in his position. We have Martin Zubimendi, who is also the second best. That's how lucky we are. Questioning (Rodri) confuses me," coach Luis de la Fuente said when asked about Rodri.

Spain had 15 shots on goal, but created only two clear chances in the game - the first early in the game from Mikel Oyarzabal and the second for Merino.

"In football today, in the final third of the pitch you have to speed up the tempo. When we got through their defense, maybe we made an extra touch."

"You have to turn quickly and find a player in the attacking line. That's how the goal was created," said Rodri.

Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning the only World Cup title in 2010. La Roja will face Belgium in Inglewood, California, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, early morning WIB.