Spain captain Rodri believes his side’s journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final is the reward for years of patience, development and belief, but insists La Roja must find another level if they are to dethrone defending champions Argentina on Sunday.
After a tournament filled with dominant performances, Spain now stand one victory away from lifting only the second World Cup title in the nation’s history.
Standing in their path, however, is Lionel Scaloni’s battle-tested Argentina, a side chasing back-to-back World Cup crowns.
For Rodri, the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, represents much more than a single football match.
It is the culmination of a long-term project that began years ago and has steadily transformed Spain into one of the world’s most complete teams.
The Manchester City midfielder believes the successes achieved in recent years have laid the perfect foundation for this moment.
Winning the UEFA Nations League in 2023 before conquering Europe at UEFA Euro 2024 restored belief within the squad and proved that the country’s next generation could once again compete with football’s elite.
“We’ve been gradually growing. We have to keep doing the same things we’re doing because it has been a process for all five years,” Rodri said reflecting on the team’s evolution.
That patience has paid dividends throughout the tournament.
Following an unexpected opening draw against Cape Verde, Spain have responded like true champions.
They have won every subsequent match, outscoring opponents 13-1 while producing arguably the tournament’s most balanced football.
Spain’s route to the final has been defined by both attacking quality and defensive discipline.
Late heroics from Mikel Merino secured knockout victories over Portugal and Belgium, while goalkeeper Unai Simon has repeatedly delivered when called upon.
At the other end, Spain’s fluid attack has consistently found answers against some of the strongest defences in world football.
Rodri believes those performances have justified the confidence the squad carried into the tournament.
“Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this. We’ve shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents.”
Spain have conceded only once in seven matches, including an impressive 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals — their third consecutive win over their European rivals.
For years, Spain have been associated with patient possession football.
Rodri, however, rejects the idea that this current squad is limited to one tactical identity.
Instead, he believes versatility has become their greatest strength heading into the biggest match of the tournament.
“I don’t think you’ve seen the same Spain across all the matches. I think Sunday’s match will be quite different, as it will be a more physical one and we must be prepared.
“And I believe if we are known for something in this national team is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.
“So, we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.”
That adaptability could prove crucial against an Argentina side renowned for controlling different phases of matches and punishing opponents with moments of brilliance.
While Rodri acknowledges the enormous challenge posed by the reigning world champions, he remains convinced Spain are capable of producing an even better performance than the one that eliminated France.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner believes his teammates have not yet reached their ceiling.
“We can even do it better. I think against France, we do one of the best games we ever done as a team. But against Argentina, I think we have to rise a level because they are the champions. And I’m really confident that we can do it.”
Spain’s first World Cup triumph came in South Africa 16 years ago, a victory that defined an era of dominance in international football.
Now, a new generation has the opportunity to write its own chapter.
Led by Rodri’s composure, tactical intelligence and unwavering belief, La Roja head into Sunday’s final knowing that one more complete performance could cement their place among football’s greatest international teams.
Against Argentina, Spain will not simply be chasing a trophy—they will be chasing history.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
