Spain edged past Portugal 1-0 in a tightly contested World Cup clash, with midfielder Rodri earning the MVP award for his commanding display — but the player himself insists his side still have work to do.

Despite being singled out as the best performer on the pitch, Rodri struck a measured tone after the final whistle, acknowledging that Spain showed genuine quality while also flagging areas that need to sharpen up ahead of the quarterfinals.

"There is room for improvement," Rodri said, signalling that Spain are far from content with simply progressing to the next round.

The result eliminates Portugal from the tournament and sends Spain into the last eight, where the pressure — and the opposition — will only intensify.

Rodri's influence throughout the match underlined why he remains one of the most important figures in this Spain side. His ability to control tempo, disrupt opposition build-up, and drive his team forward made him the standout presence in what was a fiercely competitive encounter.

Yet even as the plaudits arrived, Rodri kept his focus firmly on the collective rather than the individual, a trait that has come to define this Spain generation. With a quarterfinal berth secured, the squad will now turn their attention to the challenges that lie ahead in the knockout stages.