Rodri Says Portugal Has More to Show at World Cup

Spain captain Rodri has warned Portugal that they can still improve a lot ahead of their World Cup last-16 match on Monday.

Spain, one of the top teams in North America, started their title chase with a surprising 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde. They then bounced back with a 4-0 win against Saudi Arabia and a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, finishing top of their group. In the last 32, they claimed a solid 3-0 win against a tough Austria team.

That strong performance sent a message to their opponents. Rodri pointed out that this was just the beginning for Spain. "Spain’s evolution at the tournament has been gradual," the 30-year-old Manchester City player told reporters on Sunday before facing Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Texas.

"Obviously in a sense that is normal. In the first games, you try to adapt to a different environment, different pitch, different type of teams you face, it is never easy.

"So I think in a gradual way, always growing and always knowing that the big things are coming now." Spain's goalless draw with Cape Verde shocked many. But Rodri said, "We didn’t lose our heads, we stayed calm, and I think right now we still have a big gap of improvement."

He believes the team is ready to show their best in the upcoming matches.