SOCCER: Masterful Rodri rolls back the years to anchor Spain's march into the final

ARLINGTON, Texas – Rodri delivered a commanding performance in midfield as Spain defeated France 2-0 on Tuesday, returning to the level that earned him the 2024 Ballon d'Or and guiding his team into the FIFA World Cup final for the first time since winning the title in 2010.

The 30-year-old controlled the tempo throughout the semifinal, capping a remarkable comeback nearly two years after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Manchester City against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Following the victory, Rodri expressed his excitement but stressed the importance of staying focused ahead of the championship match.

"Step by step, one step further," Rodri said. "The team is elated. It's the second time we've reached a final, and we need to stay calm and get some rest."

Rodri had shown steady improvement throughout the tournament, but his display against France was widely regarded as his best since recovering from the injury that sidelined him for much of the past two seasons.

The Spanish midfielder dictated play from the center of the pitch, helping Spain dominate possession while shutting down France's dangerous attack led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise.

Working alongside defenders Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi, Rodri helped neutralize France's offensive threats before they could develop. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was rarely tested, as the Spanish defense kept France from creating meaningful scoring opportunities.

France struggled to gain control in midfield, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to substitute Adrien Rabiot at halftime in an attempt to change the flow of the match.

Rodri also excelled in possession, distributing the ball efficiently and switching play to full-backs Marc Cucurella and Pedro Porro while covering more than 12.5 kilometers during the match.

"Given the characteristics of both teams, you knew one was more explosive and the other more possession-oriented," Rodri said. "The support from the full-backs — from the whole team — has been sensational."

Spain's disciplined performance secured its place in the World Cup final, where it will look to win its second world title after its historic triumph in 2010. -Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters