Rodri says Spain still has room to improve after Portugal win

Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in Dallas, Texas, with Mikel Merino striking in stoppage time to send Luis de la Fuente’s side into the World Cup quarterfinals and end Cristiano Ronaldo’s tournament. Rodri, chosen as player of the match, said the result reflected resilience rather than a finished product.

Before the round-of-16 match, Rodri said Spain still had a “gran margen de mejora” after a group stage that had already shown both control and frustration, including the 0-0 draw with Cabo Verde in Spain’s opening game. After Portugal were beaten, he said it was “para madurarlo” because Portugal defended in a low block and threatened in transition. Rodri also said Portugal had “jugadores de altísima calidad.”

Merino supplied the difference when the match was drifting toward extra time, and the finish carried added weight because the Arsenal midfielder had been close to a World Cup doubt earlier in the year after a stress fracture in his right foot. FIFA said Merino was back to full fitness and ready to help Spain in its pursuit of a second world title, and Rodri singled him out after the match, saying, “Es muy difícil entrar en esos minutos y marcar la diferencia” and adding, “Reivindico a Mikel Merino, porque no es fácil entrar como él.”

Spain now advances to face the winner of the United States-Belgium tie.