Spain's midfielder Rodri expressed his delight following their 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup Round of 16. He stated that it was a clash between two evenly matched teams, with the smallest details ultimately deciding the outcome.
"It's clear that in a match like this, you need patience and to develop your play against a team that defends exceptionally well in a low block and transitions quickly. Therefore, you can't commit too many players forward, as counter-attacks can be devastating. I believe we read their game perfectly. It's true they had some opportunities because they possess top-class players," Rodri commented.
"I think we were two very similar teams, both wanting to control possession and show character. In the end, it all came down to the small details. I said it before the match, that it would be like this and the minor details would decide the result. This was the first real chance of the entire game where we managed to find a man inside, and the goal came. This is a lesson for the upcoming matches," the midfielder added.
"There's still a long way to go, and plenty of room for improvement. Now we need to rest, as physical condition is crucial, and continue to get better. We shouldn't be complacent. This team gave its all, and when you give your all, you should be satisfied," the Spaniard concluded.