FIFA World Cup
Rodri explains how Spain can beat Argentina
Rodri believes Spain is a complete team and has the adaptability needed needed to beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final.… Show More
Rodri believes Spain is a complete team and has the adaptability needed needed to beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final.
Spain is playing in its second showpiece at the tournament, having won its first back in 2010, beating Netherlands 1-0.
La Roja was surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by debutant Cape Verde in its opening match of the 2026 edition, but has since won its past six matches, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.
That came in the quarter-finals against Belgium, and Spain again shut up shop to beat France 2-0 in the final four to set up its meeting with Argentina.
Rodri believes Spain has shown different sides across its matches at the tournament, insisting it does not have one set style, which makes it dangerous.
"Our goal when we got to this [FIFA] World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this," Rodri said.
"We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents.
"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."
Spain has won the 2023 UEFA Nations League and the 2024 UEFA Euros under Luis de la Fuente, and reached the final of the UEFA Nations League last year, only to lose on penalties to Portugal.
"We've been gradually growing," Rodri added. "We have to keep doing the same things we're doing because it has been a process for all five years.
"We can even do it better. I think against France, we do one of the best games we have 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."
One of the big talking points in the build-up to the final has been Lamine Yamal facing off against Lionel Messi.
The 19-year-old is set to feature, despite taking a hit to the thigh against France, and it has been considered in some cases as a passing-of-the-torch moment from Messi to Yamal, but De la Fuente is keen to avoid adding extra pressure on to his yong star's shoulders.
"Lamine has to be Lamine," De la Fuente said.
"Messi is a one-of-a-time-in-history player, and he's an example, a role model for youth and younger players: his attitude, his behaviour. At his age, he's playing such a spectacular competition at the [FIFA] World Cup.
"I insist Lamine has to be Lamine Yamal himself, and the best way we can support him is by helping him be the person we know because he has a great potential, a great future."
