Spanish midfielder Rodri expressed his regret as he celebrated in Bernardo Silva’s face after his former Manchester City teammate missed a late chance to equalize for Portugal in their heavyweight World Cup match.
Silva had the opportunity to take the round of 16 match – won 1-0 by Spain on Monday – to extra time, but headed over the crossbar after six minutes of injury time.
As the Portuguese playmaker lay on the ground with his head in his hands, Rodri walked up to Silva and clenched his fist in a taunting gesture. Silva stood up and confronted Rodri, sweeping his arm aside and pointing at his face.
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The two players have played together in City’s midfield since 2019. Silva left this summer after his contract expired and has since moved to Real Madrid.
Rodri told reporters after the match that he had said sorry to Silva.
“I made a mistake,” said the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, “because I celebrated when he missed. I immediately apologized to him.
“But that’s all, because of the trust we have.”
While Portugal headed home, Spain advanced to a meeting with Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Published on July 7, 2026
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