Spain produced a commanding performance to eliminate France and secure their place in the World Cup final, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic singling out Manchester City's Rodri for special praise. The legendary Swedish striker declared that "football won today" after witnessing La Roja's superior technical execution and tactical discipline dismantle a French side that had looked threatening in earlier rounds.
Playing at Dallas Stadium, Spain controlled the tempo from start to finish, dominating possession and forcing Les Bleus into uncharacteristic mistakes. The Spanish midfield operated with precision, combining ball retention with relentless pressing to suffocate France's creative outlets. Ibrahimovic was particularly impressed by how Spain's players showed intensity in every duel and conviction in their attacking movements. "They took the command from the first minute until the last. Every pass was like: 'we want this,'" he explained on FOX Sports, contrasting this with France's passive approach.
Rodri's Masterclass in the Middle
At the heart of Spain's midfield dominance stood Rodri, the City midfielder who orchestrated play with composure and vision. The 28-year-old disrupted French attacks while initiating dangerous transitions, a performance that epitomized his evolution as one of world football's most influential midfielders. Ibrahimovic reserved his highest compliment for the Spanish captain: "Rodri was everywhere. He was magnificent. He's a player who doesn't get a lot of credit, but this game he showed why he's so important." This World Cup semifinal reinforced Rodri's status as the engine room of Luis de la Fuente's system, directing traffic with minimal fanfare yet maximum impact.
Spain now stand 90 minutes away from reclaiming the World Cup trophy for the second time, having last won it in 2010. Their path to the final showcased a return to the principles that defined their golden era—methodical possession football, positional discipline, and the ability to suffocate opponents through sustained control. The Spanish side will face either England or Argentina in the final, with Rodri set to remain the linchpin of their strategy in pursuit of another world championship.
