Rodri makes FIFA complaint about Lamine Yamal treatment ahead of World Cup final

Rodri has criticised FIFA for the standard of officiating at the World Cup after Spain booked their place in the final on Tuesday night.

Spain recorded an impressive 2-0 victory over pre-tournament favourites France to set up a potentially mouth-watering showdown against either England or Argentina on Sunday in New Jersey.

Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty settled Luis de la Fuente's men down midway through the first half before Pedro Porro's crisp strike on the hour mark extended their winning run against the French to three matches.

An incredible performance from La Roja was orchestrated by Manchester City midfielder Rodri, who controlled the engine room battle alongside Fabian Ruiz.

The 30-year-old completed 87% of his passes (58/67), drew three fouls and won 11 duels, as he continued to prove why he's arguably still the best defensive midfielder on the planet.

City's playmaking superstar received huge plaudits for his display at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but the same cannot be said for the standard of officiating.

Throughout the tournament, referees and VAR have faced scrutiny for key decisions wrong in games, and that trend continued in the World Cup semi-final.

Rodri was quick to point out that referee Ian Barton and his team didn't do enough to protect Lamine Yamal, who was on the receiving end of several robust challenges.

"It’s obvious," the Man City general said. "We’ve been dealing with this situation for three games now, there have been too many fouls.

"We’re talking about 10 or 15 fouls where the kid [Lamine Yamal] goes to the ground. If the referees do not call them, then the defence will keep doing the same thing.

"The permissiveness is clear and was especially obvious today. But he still played a great match."

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Yamal's speed of thought saw him win the penalty against France after Lucas Digne misjudged the timing of a clearance under the high ball and kicked through the 19-year-old.

He can now become the fifth-youngest World Cup winner with victory in the final, overtaking Brazilian Marco Antonio, while his teammate Rodri can also join an exclusive club.

Rodri can do something only 10 others have by winning the World Cup

Whoever prevails between England and Argentina will have a huge task on their hands to beat Spain.

De La Fuente's men can either inflict further damage on the Three Lions after denying them Euro 2024 glory two years ago or stop Argentina winning successive World Cups.

For Rodri, it's an opportunity to join a list of players who have won the World Cup, Champions League (or European Cup) and Ballon d'Or.

Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or after Man City recorded a treble-winning campaign, and only 10 players have achieved the triple crown.

• Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
• Bobby Charlton (England)
• Gerd Muller (Germany)
• Paolo Rossi (Italy)
• Zinedine Zidane (France)
• Rivaldo (Brazil)
• Ronaldinho (Brazil)
• Kaka (Brazil)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Ousmane Dembele (France)

A shot at history and becoming the first Spanish player to join this list will fuel him even more to win the World Cup.