Spanish midfielder Rodri cautions that Portugal has not seen the best of his team in the World Cup just yet

As Spain prepares to face Portugal in the World Cup last-16 on Monday, captain Rodri has issued a warning that his team is still capable of significant improvement, despite already showing promising form. The European champions have been one of the favourites to win the tournament in North America, and Rodri's comments suggest they are still finding their footing.

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Spain's campaign got off to a surprising start with a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde, but they quickly regained their composure and went on to beat Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0, securing top spot in their group. This strong performance set the stage for their clash with Portugal, and Rodri believes it is just the beginning of what Spain can achieve.

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Rodri, the 30-year-old Manchester City midfielder, spoke to reporters on Sunday ahead of the meeting with Portugal in Texas, saying that Spain's progress in the tournament has been gradual, with the team adapting to new environments and opponents. He acknowledged that this process is normal, given the challenges of adjusting to different pitches, teams, and conditions.

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According to Rodri, Spain's initial performances were marked by a period of adaptation, but the team has been growing and improving with each game, and he believes the most significant challenges and opportunities are still to come. The team's ability to remain calm and composed, even in the face of unexpected results like the goalless draw with Cape Verde, has been key to their progress so far.

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Rodri reflected on the surprise 0-0 draw with Cape Verde, saying that the team did not panic and instead remained focused, and he is confident that there is still a significant margin for improvement. With this mindset, Spain is preparing to face Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, in what promises to be a closely watched and highly competitive match.