Spanish captain Rodri warned Portugal on the eve of Monday’s World Cup last-16 match that the European champions can still improve.
Spain, one of the favorites in North America, were held to a shock 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde to open the title clash.
They then defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0 to top the group, before winning 3-0 against persistent but limited Austria in the last 32.
That impressive performance was a sign for the rivals, with midfield general Rodri saying it was just the beginning.
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«Spain’s evolution (at the tournament) has been gradual,» the 30-year-old Manchester City player told reporters on Sunday ahead of the meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Texas.
“Obviously that’s normal in a way: in the first games you try to adapt to a different environment, a different field, a different type of teams you face, it’s never easy.
“So I think in a gradual way, always growing and always knowing that the big things are coming now.”
Spain’s goalless stalemate with Cape Verde came as a big surprise, but Rodri said: «We have not lost our heads, we have remained calm and I think we still have a big gap in improvement at the moment.»
Published on July 5, 2026
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