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Spain’s captain Rodri has expressed firm belief that his side are fully capable of overcoming France in their highly anticipated World Cup semi-final in Dallas. The Manchester City midfielder says the team’s recent successes against Les Bleus give them confidence as La Roja aim to reach their first World Cup final since 2010.

Confidence growing within the Spanish camp

Rodri remains unfazed about facing one of the tournament’s top contenders. Speaking ahead of the semi-final at the AT&T Stadium, the Ballon d'Or winner pointed to Spain’s track record against Didier Deschamps’ men as evidence of their ability to compete at the highest level. “France are one of the best teams here, in great form, but so are Spain. We can beat them; we’ve shown that at the Euros and in the Nations League,” the skipper said confidently.

Rodri’s history of success against France goes back several years. He featured in the team that triumphed over them in the 2015 Under-19 Euros semi-final, as well as the Euro 2024 semi-final and last summer’s Nations League victory.

Reflecting on his manager, the midfielder said, “Luis de la Fuente hasn’t changed at all. That’s where he started building everything we’re seeing now.” While many fans expect another end-to-end encounter similar to last year’s 5-4 thriller, Rodri predicts a more controlled contest. “World Cup games are different; I don’t think it will be nearly as open,” he added.

Handling the Lamine Yamal spotlight

Spain’s game plan heavily depends on 19-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, but Rodri believes it’s important for the youngster to manage his emotions amid the pressure of the global stage.

“I think he needs to stay calm at times; sometimes he’s too eager to prove himself,” Rodri admitted. “He’s a crucial player for us, both with and without the ball, and he’s very smart. He’s still only 19, so we have to help him stay composed in certain phases of the match.”

Although the Barcelona forward has yet to score in this tournament, his teammates and coaches continue to back him fully. Rodri praised his attitude, calling him “a role model” for his willingness to learn and improve. “He’s a boy who listens and is always eager to grow,” the City midfielder added.

France ready to meet the challenge

The self-assurance coming out of the Spanish camp has caught the attention of their French counterparts. From France’s base, Real Madrid defender Ibrahima Konate insisted that Les Bleus remain humble and are not paying heed to outside noise suggesting they should be worried.

France are motivated to avenge their Euro 2024 elimination but are cautious not to focus solely on Yamal, recognising that Spain possess dangerous players all over the pitch.

Rodri acknowledged the threat posed by France, saying, “France have great attacking qualities, but I’d also stress their defensive solidity. They defend compactly, are very physical, and aggressive. We’ll need to make sure the game unfolds on our terms.”

Carrying the burden of leadership

With seasoned figures like Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Morata absent from the current squad, Rodri has fully embraced the responsibilities of captaincy. He considers leadership vital both on and off the pitch, especially in maintaining unity among players who have had limited playing time during the World Cup. “The role of captain is crucial; leadership matters not only on the field but even more off it,” he explained. “During moments of uncertainty, the captain must bring calm to the group.”

For Rodri, the ultimate target remains lifting the World Cup trophy on American soil. Having already captured European titles and the Ballon d'Or, he knows what’s at stake. “It’s the highest thing you can aspire to,” he reflected. “That’s the challenge—and it’s only been achieved once in history.”