Spain's captain Rodri is optimistic about the team's chances against France in tonight's semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
While recognizing France's strong form and solid defensive setup, he points to previous victories, like those at Euro 2024, as evidence that Spain possesses the tactics and skill to prevail.
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Rodri also commended the French team’s remarkable attacking prowess but emphasized that Spain is well-equipped to counter their threats.
“I feel good and I’m pleased with the team’s development, which is crucial in tournaments. France is one of the top teams here, in excellent form, but so is Spain. We can defeat them; we’ve demonstrated that at the Euros and in the Nations League,” Rodri states.
“We’ve gained a rhythm as we progressed, and now we’re in a positive phase. I see a team that’s as competitive as [they were] at the Euros. The physical condition of the players has changed since we arrived.
“That’s why I kept insisting it would be a lengthy tournament, that we would need to 'digest' it and evolve into our best selves. We can witness that now. If we maintain this trajectory, we can attain our level, but what I want to emphasize is how competitive this group is.
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“France boasts exceptional attacking talents, but I would also highlight their defensive capabilities. They defend effectively in a low block, are very physical, and aggressive. We’ll need to steer the game in our favor.
“It’s uncommon for a match to end 5-4 like last year, and we can’t let that mislead us into thinking this will be a similar affair. If only it could be like that! But I doubt it will be. We can expect a more resilient team, tougher to score against.
“World Cups are distinct. I’m not sure that an open match, a back-and-forth contest, suits our style. We’ll need to exert more control. This is a significant challenge against one of the best-performing teams, and we are eager for it.”
