Rodri forced to address heated spat with Bernardo Silva in Spain’s win over Portugal

Rodri has taken responsibility for an incident involving former Manchester City teammate Bernardo Silva in Spain’s World Cup win over Portugal.

Spain captain Rodri took delight in Silva’s late miss as Portugal chased an equaliser in Dallas.

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Rodri holds his hands up

La Roja held on for a 1-0 victory to reach their first World Cup quarter-final since lifting the trophy in 2010 and knock their Iberian rivals out of the tournament.

And Rodri has addressed his actions which prompted such an angry reaction from Silva.

“I apologise to Bernardo Silva for celebrating his miss in the last play,” said the 2024 Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder. “It was my fault.”

Silva had glanced a header over the crossbar with Portugal trailing to substitute Mikel Merino’s 91st-minute goal.

And the 31-year-old momentarily squared up to Rodri – his Man City teammate of seven years – after he animatedly celebrated the miss while Silva lay dejected on the turf.

The pair won four Premier League titles together with Pep Guardiola‘s City and were part of the side that achieved an historic treble in 2023/24.

Silva left the Etihad Stadium following the expiry of his contract this summer, having ensured legendary status across 460 appearances for the club he joined from Monaco back in 2017.

He’s since gone on to pen a two-year deal with Real Madrid, where he’ll link up with compatriot Jose Mourinho – back at the Bernabeu for his second spell in charge of the 15-time European champions.

The end of an era

Portugal’s World Cup exit marked the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the game’s greatest stage.

Now 41, the five-time Ballon d’Or-winning Portugal skipper – who captained his side to Euro 2016 glory – revealed before the game that this would be his last World Cup.

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Speaking following the defeat, an emotional Ronaldo reflected on 22 years of playing at major tournaments.

“I am sad to leave like this, but I have given everything, always given my best,” he said.

“I go with a clear conscience. This is football; it is the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. You have to carry on. It was my last World Cup, yes, but as far as the rest of it is concerned: there will be time to think, to be with my family; [I will] not make decisions in the heat of the moment.

“I will wake up tomorrow the same way I woke up today: with a clear conscience. I gave my all. I won three titles with Portugal. Before Cristiano, Portugal had never won a big trophy. The best trophy I won with the national team was 2016, which for me has the same dimension as the World Cup. So, I repeat: I leave here with a clear conscience. Tomorrow will be another day and life goes on.”

Ronaldo has yet to confirm whether he will carry on playing for Portugal.

Spain, meanwhile, advance to face Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Belgium beat co-hosts the USA 4-1 amid the continued controversy surrounding the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red-card ban.