Spain has built its team for several years and tournaments to reach the World Cup final

NEW YORK (AP) — Spain reaching the World Cup final is still something of a novelty, given this is just the second time the country has gotten this far. Rodri sees it as the culmination of years building to this point.

Winning the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024 set the foundation for the success the team has achieved over the past several weeks. An even bigger challenge awaits against defending champion Argentina on Sunday, and Spain's captain wants his teammates to be more eager to win than scared to lose.

“We’ve been gradually growing,” Rodri said Friday. “We have to keep doing the same things we’re doing because it has been a process for all five years.”

Spain has only allowed one goal through its first seven games, including a 2-0 win over France in the semifinals. Since a stunning opening draw against Cape Verde, La Roja has outscored its opponents 13-1.

“Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this,” Rodri said. “We’ve shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents.”

The path to the final included Mikel Merino breaking a tie and scoring late in the round of 16 and the quarterfinals. It has also including stifling defense and nine saves from goalkeeper Unai Simón.

But Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner as the best player in the world, bristled at the notion that Spain has just one defined brand and expressed a belief about handling any kind of style.

“I don’t think you’ve seen the same Spain across all the matches,” the 30-year-old midfielder said. “I think Sunday’s match will be quite different, as it will be a more physical one and we must be prepared. And I believe if we are known for something 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, counterattacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.”

Sixteen years removed from Spain winning the World Cup for the first time, Rodri thinks the determination of that group can be an inspiration. But he is far more focused on the individual and team development that has sparked this run to the final.

“We can even do it better,” Rodri said. “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.”

Lamine Yamal getting spotted at practice with his left thigh wrapped has caused plenty of concern about the 19-year-old budding star's status. Coach Luis de la Fuente downplayed those worries when asked repeatedly about Yamal, who took a hit to that thigh against France.

“Today he participated in the training with the other teammates, and he is fine,” de la Fuente said. “He is fine. He is in optimal condition.”

Yamal, who was photographed as a baby alongside Lionel Messi in 2007, is considered the potential heir apparent to the title as the best player in the world. This final could be a passing-of-the-torch moment, but Yamal's coach does not want his player thinking like that.

“Lamine has to be Lamine,” de la Fuente said. “Messi is and one-of-a-time-in-history player, and he’s an example, a role model for youth and younger players: his attitude, his behavior. At his age, he’s playing such a spectacular competition at the World Cup. I insist Lamine has to be Lamine Yamal himself, and the best way we can support him is by helping him be the person we know today because he has a great potential, a great future.”

The difficulty level, the threat of smoke in the air and the quality of the pitch are not bothering de la Fuente. Returning to New Jersey after doing a news conference and other media obligations in New York was very much on his mind Friday.

“I am nervous because we are going back by helicopter,” he said. “I’m serious. We got here by helicopter, and we have to take the helicopter to go back and that makes me really anxious. About everything else, I’m calm. I’m lucky enough to be in this situation, and I insist, we just want to enjoy this amazing moment.”

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente speaks to Spain's Lamine Yamal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Spain's Rodri smiles during a news conference ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Spain's Rodri (16) and Lamine Yamal (19) chat as they walk among sprinklers during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Spain's Rodri listens as head coach Luis de la Fuente speaks during a news conference ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Spain's Rodri speaks during a news conference ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani had a lubricant injected into his left knee, but the Dodgers two-way star did not have fluid drained, Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Friday.

Ohtani was in the starting lineup leading off as the designated hitter in Friday's second-half opener against the New York Yankees. The four-time MVP is not slated to pitch this weekend and likely will make his next start Wednesday at Philadelphia.

Roberts said Ohtani had the procedure after Sunday's game against Arizona. Ohtani last pitched on July 3.

“It gives him some relief in his knee, which we were hoping to get, and then the four days off from activity, which gets it all to kind of settle in,” Roberts said. “I think we are certainly more prepared to back off on the workload if it calls for it, but Shohei wants to be out there as much as he possibly can.”

Ohtani is batting .293 with 22 homers and 58 RBIs while going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings over 14 starts on the mound. The four-time MVP skipped Tuesday night’s All-Star Game.

“Part of his wear and tear, just part of being an athlete, being a baseball player, the running, the pitching, the swinging of the bat, all that stuff has effects on the body,” Roberts said.

He will try to give Ohtani days off after his pitching starts if possible.

“Safe to say that even if there isn’t an off day behind it, I would like to give him that next day off,” Roberts said. “So ideally, yeah, he would have the scheduled off day behind it. But that’s not always possible, kind of with the schedule and also where he’s at.”

Ohtani probably will throw off a mound in the next few days to test the knee. He has been landing more in an open stance to lessen torque on the left knee, which Roberts said likely will not need offseason surgery.

Roberts said he doesn't know whether catcher Will Smith, who hasn't played since June 5 because of neck inflammation, will return this season but hopes the three-time All-Star can contribute this year. Roberts said Smith “didn’t feel like he was making any improvement.”

“He’s taking a week, at least a week of just really doing no activity to hopefully calm his neck down, to then build up,” Roberts said. “Early on we’ve been trying to get him ready, moving around, doing some baseball stuff, but he hasn’t been able to get over the hump.”

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz, recovering from surgery on April 22 to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, was to pitch Friday in his third minor league rehab appearance and then throw again Sunday.

“He’s got to assure us that he’s in a good spot to close out,” Roberts said.

Left-hander Blake Snell, sidelined since his season debut on May 9 because of loose bodies in his pitching elbow, is to start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Tyler Glasnow, a right-hander out since May 6 because of lower back spasms, has been throwing bullpens.

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after grounding out during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, July 17, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani prepares to bat during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno throws during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)