Rodri criticises Cape Verde tactics after Spain draw in World Cup opener

Rodri slammed over ‘arrogant’ and ‘disrespectful’ Cape Verde comments after Spain draw

Spain captain Rodri accused Cape Verde of refusing to ‘get past midfield’ (Picture: Getty) French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit has accused Rodri of ‘arrogance’ and ‘disrespect’ after the midfielder appeared to criticise Cape Verde’s tactical approach against Spain. Cape Verde pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup memory as they held European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening Group H match on Monday. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, stole the headlines with a heroic performance between the sticks for the tournament debutants, recording seven saves to keep out Luis de la Fuente’s all-star attack in Atlanta. Arguably Spain’s best chance fell to Ferran Torres towards the end of the first half, but the Barcelona forward was unable to capitalise, hammering the ball against the crossbar from six yards out. Don't miss anything from the World Cup Crunch time beckons for Thomas Tuchel (Picture: FA via Getty Images) We've got the latest from the England camp, previews of the biggest games and everything you missed overnight in our daily World Cup newsletter. Sign up here. With 65 places separating the two teams in the FIFA rankings before kick-off, it’s hardly surprising that Cape Verde players and fans broke into feverous celebration as referee Adham Makhadmeh blew his whistle to signal full-time. De la Fuente’s squad looked frustrated and short of ideas, meanwhile, with the disappointing result ramping up the pressure ahead of La Roja’s next clash with Saudi Arabia on Sunday. ‘It wasn’t meant to be. There’s little to complain about,’ Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri said in his post-match interview with La 1. The World Cup debutants produced the biggest shock of the tournament thus far (Picture: Getty) De la Fuente cut a frustrated figure on the touchline in Atlanta (Picture: Getty) ‘We knew it was a game that required patience. They sat back and they dropped back very quickly. We couldn’t put it in. We created chances, but couldn’t finish. ‘The positive thing is that they barely created anything against us. We need to improve our finishing.’ On Cape Verde’s tactics, Rodri, Spain’s captain, said: ‘That’s how they play. They don’t get past midfield. ‘It’s a matter of improving our finishing.’ https://www.instagram.com/p/DZpIiwCKJa6/?hl=en Unsurprisingly, Rodri’s comments were met with a less-than-sympathetic reaction from those who had been cheering on Monday’s massive underdogs Cape Verde. According to ex-France, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Petit, Rodri – the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner – should ‘look at himself in the mirror’ before picking apart the tactics of the opposition. ‘I think it’s arrogant,’ Petit said talkSPORT. Rodri should ‘look himself in the mirror’ before taking aim at the opposition, says Petit (Picture: Getty) ‘I don’t expect Cape Verde to get the position of the ball and to create on many occasions against Spain. Spain is one of the best teams in the world. ‘The way he said that, this is disrespectful for Cape Verde and I think you should look at yourself in the mirror because you should have done better and adapted to win that game. ‘You had some occasions to score, you didn’t, and I think you have to put credit on the Cape Verde players because they defended like lions on the pitch.’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Petit – who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998 – went on: ‘If you don’t like their style of play, it’s up to you to do enough to win that game. ‘I don’t like those criticisms when you meet opponents that are not at the same level. ‘At the end you share the points and you think, “Yeah, they were too defensive”, I don’t like it at all.’ Rodri and Co return to action against Saudi Arabia this weekend (Picture: Getty) Petit believes Cape Verde’s resolute performance is yet more evidence that the so-called smaller teams have ‘improved a lot’ and the gap is nowhere near what it was during his playing days. ‘The gap is not the same that it used to be before so they have to realise that even small teams have improved a lot, individually and collectively,’ he explained. ‘Nowadays, those guys prepare the same way physically so at the end of the day, the difference can be made technically, on the creativity as well. ‘You can see that those teams that Rodri is talking about, they have unity. They don’t have great, great players but the fact that they’re all working for each other makes it very difficult for the opponents.’ To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page Petit has been largely underwhelmed by the standard on show thus far at the World Cup. However, the Frenchman is confident there will be plenty of ‘surprises’ around the corner and was particularly encouraged by Morocco’s first-half display in the side’s 1-1 draw with Brazil. ‘I was not impressed so far by the World Cup but there is one team that impressed me a lot and that was Morocco for the first 30 minutes,’ he added. ‘I thought, “Oh, be careful!”, so I’m very curious about what will happen tonight between France and Senegal because Senegal as well, they’re a very good team. ‘I think we’re probably going to have some surprises.’ POLL Poll Are Spain genuine contenders to win the World Cup? 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12 hours ago

Rodri takes swipe at Cape Verde after Spain stumble in World Cup opener

Spain captain Rodri was unimpressed with Cape Verde’s tactics (Picture: La 1) Rodri poured scorn on Cape Verde’s tactical approach after Spain were held to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup opener, claiming the opposition ‘sat back’ and had no interest in ‘getting past the midfield’. Cape Verde entered the Group H contest as massive underdogs, with 65 places separating the two teams in the FIFA rankings ahead of kick-off. But the World Cup debutants – with a population of approximately 525,000 – produced an exceptional defensive display to come away from the clash with a thoroughly deserved point. Ferran Torres struck against the crossbar with Spain’s standout opportunity, while veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, produced a string of fine saves to ensure the scoreline remained goalless in Atlanta. It's finally here Get everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day. Sign up here. While Luis de la Fuente threw on Lamine Yamal in pursuit of a breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the African qualifiers held firm to secure the most famous results in the nation’s history. There were jubilant scenes amongst Cape Verde’s players and travelling supporters as referee Adham Makhadmeh blew his whistle to signal full-time. ‘It wasn’t meant to be. There’s little to complain about,’ Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri told La 1 shortly after the final whistle. Vozinha produced an exceptional goalkeeping display to keep out Spain’s superstars (Picture: Getty) Yamal was unable to make the difference after coming off the bench (Picture: Getty) ‘We knew it was a game that required patience. They sat back and they dropped back very quickly. We couldn’t put it in. We created chances, but couldn’t finish. ‘The positive thing is that they barely created anything against us. We need to improve our finishing.’ On Cape Verde’s tactics, Rodri, Spain’s captain, said: ‘That’s how they play. They don’t get past midfield. ‘It’s a matter of improving our finishing.’ Cape Verde hero Vozinha was awarded the Player of the Match trophy (Picture: Getty) Cape Verde’s hero of the hour, Vozinha, was pictured in tears in the immediate aftermath, before being handed the official Player of the Match award for his outstanding contribution between the sticks against the reigning European champions. ‘It was a great match,’ he said. ‘We worked incredibly hard for this moment and this dream. ‘We are very proud. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.’ The Chaves shot-stopper – who was winning his 90th cap – sent a clear message of intent to those who may have underestimated Cape Verde prior to this summer’s tournament. ‘We came to the World Cup to compete,’ he added. ‘I know there are people who think we are a small and weak team, but we are here to compete and give it our all.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source

1 day ago

Rodri takes swipe at Cape Verde after Spain stumble in World Cup opener - Metro.co.uk

Rodri takes swipe at Cape Verde after Spain stumble in World Cup opener  Metro.co.ukSpain vs Cape Verde LIVE: FIFA World Cup Group H score, commentary, updates & stats  BBCWho is Vozinha, Cape Verde’s viral goalkeeper at the World Cup?  Al JazeeraCape Verde’s Vozinha in tears as cost of visa stopped mother being at Spain draw  The GuardianVozinha: The 40-year-old keeper who inspired Cape Verde's historic debut  BBC

1 day ago