Rodri was once again the “mastermind” of Spain’s midfield, playing a decisive role in the 2-1 victory over Belgium and in La Roja’s advancement to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup.

The Spanish midfielder’s impact is best illustrated by an impressive statistic from Opta. Rodri has made 62 passes that broke through the opposing lines in the final third of the field, more than any other player in a single tournament since Toni Kroos in 2014.

The German midfielder had also recorded 62 such passes at the World Cup in Brazil, where he led Germany to the title. Twelve years later, Rodri matched that feat, with at least one more match ahead of him to set a new record.

Passes that split the opposing defense are one of the most distinctive features of his game. The Manchester City midfielder doesn’t limit himself to safe ball movement, but constantly seeks out vertical passes that move the play into more dangerous areas and create scoring opportunities.

Against Belgium, Rodri once again controlled the tempo from the center of the field, helping Spain maintain possession and put pressure on the opposing defense. The “Red Devils” managed to equalize before halftime, but Luis de la Fuente’s team found the winner in the 88th minute through Mikel Merino.

Spain will face France in the semifinals, with Rodri having the chance to surpass Kroos’s record and write his own special chapter in World Cup history.

*photo source: AP