Rodri sends England Euro 2024 message after "losing control" and stopping Spain game

Spain star Rodri says England were partially on his mind as his side came back from a goal down to beat Georgia in Cologne.

Georgia stunned Rodri and his team-mates when they took the lead after 18 minutes in their first attack of the game, with Spain defender Robin Le Normand bundling the ball into his own net.

The Spanish had been dominant up to that point, and would continue to be so afterwards, but Rodri admits there was a moment where they were allowing the circumstances of the game to get on top of them.

The Manchester City midfielder could be seen urging his team-mates to remain calm around half an hour into the match, and shortly afterwards he fired them level from the edge of the box. Spain would go on to win 4-1 courtesy of second half goals from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams and substitute Dani Olmo.

“I stopped the game and I wanted us to get together, to keep cool heads. We were starting to lose control," said Rodri after the match, which was played shortly after England had come from a goal down to beat Slovakia after extra-time.

“We knew it would be a complicated match. We watched England before and it got very complicated for them too. No match is easy and in the end I think we played well.”

Spain will face hosts Germany next in the quarter-finals, and Rodri said: "Germany will be strong at home, but we aren't afraid.

Rodri fired Spain level with a low strike in the 39th minute

"We must produce a good performance, but we are not here to play well or leave a good image, we are here to win with everything we have - that is the mentality of this team."

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente hailed the influence of Rodri in calming his side down after they went behind.

"It's normal that after the goal, an own goal, there were some nervous minutes," he said. "But we managed to wrestle control back and the players read the game brilliantly.

Spain will face hosts Germany next in the last eight

"We were calm at half-time, there was no anxiety and the players knew what was needed. And then we have Rodri, who is a computer who makes everyone else play. He managed all the emotions and all the moments perfectly, which is a big help for everyone."

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