Spain captain Rodri has called on his side to surpass even their best performances of the tournament if they are to dethrone defending champions Argentina and claim the FIFA World Cup title for only the second time in their history. The final is set for Monday at the MetLife Stadium in New York.

A five-year process bearing fruit

Rodri framed Spain's run to the final not as a sudden surge but as the culmination of a deliberate, multi-year build. Victories in the UEFA Nations League and the European Championship have steadily hardened the squad's belief that they can compete for football's ultimate prize.

'We've been gradually growing. We have to keep doing the same things we're doing because it has been a process for all five years,' Rodri said ahead of the match.

Spain's statistical record in the tournament underlines that confidence: they have conceded just one goal across seven matches, dismantling a succession of strong opponents on the way to the final. 'Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this. We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents,' he added.

Why Argentina demand a higher gear

Despite that near-flawless run, Rodri was unequivocal that Argentina represent a categorically different test. He expects Monday's decider to be more physical than anything Spain have faced so far and acknowledged that the team's semifinal performance — a 2-0 victory over France — may not be sufficient to get the job done.

'I think against France, we do one of the best games we ever done as a team. But against Argentina, I think we have to rise a level because they are the champions. And I'm really confident that we can do it,' Rodri said.

He also pointed to Spain's tactical versatility as a key weapon: 'I don't think you've seen the same Spain across all the matches; I think Sunday's match will be quite different, as it will be a more physical one and we must be prepared.'

Spain's adaptability as a differentiator

Rodri highlighted the squad's ability to shift between defensive solidity, counter-attacking pace, and possession-based play as the quality that has carried them this far. 'What we are known for in this national team is that we know how to play different games based on the moment. So, we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here,' he said.

This tactical flexibility has been a hallmark of Spain's campaign, with the side demonstrating different faces against different opponents — a contrast to the rigid tiki-taka identity that defined their 2010 World Cup triumph.

What is at stake

For Spain, victory on Monday would be only their second FIFA World Cup title, following the one they lifted in South Africa in 2010. For Argentina, it is an opportunity to become back-to-back world champions — a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962. The stakes at the MetLife Stadium could not be higher, and Rodri's message to his teammates is clear: good enough is not good enough.