Bernardo Silva Clashes with Rodri as Spain Eliminates Portugal

Bernardo Silva and former Manchester City teammate Rodri were involved in a heated exchange as Spain eliminated Portugal from the 2026 World Cup on July 6, 2026. The Portuguese midfielder missed a gilt-edged opportunity in the dying stages of the game.

What happened?

Rodri and Bernardo Silva locked horns in a heated exchange after the Portuguese midfielder missed a chance to equalize.

The two midfielders, who won four Premier League titles and a Champions League together at Manchester City, were rivals on the international stage.

Why it matters for Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva's miss proved costly as Spain won the match 1-0, courtesy of Mikel Merino's 91st-minute goal.

The Portuguese man was mocked by Rodri after spurning the chance to level the tie, leading to a furious row between the two.

What comes next?

Spain will now move on to play the winners of the USA versus Belgium, with France or Morocco awaiting on the other side of their bracket.

Portugal, on the other hand, will undergo a huge revolution following the retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo, with head coach Roberto Martinez leaving the dugout too.

And the Spanish defensive midfielder Rodri took to the post-match interview to apologize to Bernardo Silva for celebrating his miss.

But the damage was done, and Portugal's World Cup dreams were shattered.

The match was a very uneventful one, with Mikel Merino's late goal proving to be the difference.

So the Spanish team will look to build on this momentum as they progress to the next round.

Bernardo Silva, on the other hand, will have to regroup and focus on his future plans, having announced his departure from Manchester City after a decade in sky blue.