Rodri Struggles in Spain's Win Over Uruguay

Rodri played the full 90 minutes in Spain's 1-0 win over Uruguay on Saturday, 27 June. The Manchester City midfielder managed to avoid controversy, but his performance was far from dominant.

What happened?

Rodri made six passes into the final third and was dispossessed twice. He also made five tackles, six recoveries, and three fouls, but was dribbled past three times.

Why it matters for Rodri

The 30-year-old's struggles have been evident since his return from a long-term injury that saw him miss most of the 2024-25 campaign. His passing success rate was 94%, but he made a couple of mistakes, including a 'forbidden' pass that Uruguay recovered.

What comes next?

Spain are likely to face Austria or Algeria in the round of 32, and it will be interesting to see if Luis de la Fuente drops Rodri or keeps the faith. Rodri has now played all three of Spain's games at the tournament, only being substituted for the closing stages of the opening draw against Cape Verde.

Rodri's stats at the World Cup have been decent, with a 7.2 rating from FotMob. However, his overall performance might be seen as a little sloppy, especially against a struggling Uruguay side.

The Spanish media have been critical of Rodri's performance, with AS' Fernando Tavero writing that he was watched closely by Federico Valverde. This made it difficult for Rodri to circulate, and he made a couple of mistakes that could have cost Spain the game.

Rodri's future at Manchester City has been a topic of discussion, with some suggesting that the club may need to replace him. The midfielder's contract is set to expire, and he may leave on a free transfer.

The pressure is on Rodri to perform, and his next game will be crucial in determining Spain's fate at the World Cup. He will need to improve his performance if Spain are to progress to the next round.

Rodri's experience and skill will be vital in the upcoming games. He has played in big tournaments before and knows what it takes to win.

The World Cup is a challenging tournament, and Rodri will need to be at his best if Spain are to succeed. He has the support of his teammates and the Spanish media, but he will need to deliver on the pitch.