In a thrilling semi-final, the Spanish recovered from going behind early on to score two quick first-half goals of their own and they now await the winners of tomorrow evening’s clash between England and the Netherlands, ensuring City will have at least two representatives in Sunday’s final.
Rodrigo was part of the Spain side that secured the 2022/23 Nations League title, but this will be the biggest game of his international career so far.
France took the lead after just nine minutes.
Kylian Mbappe found space on the left before clipping the perfect cross into the six-yard box for Randal Kolo Muani to head home.
But Spain hit back quickly and were level in spectacular fashion on 20 minutes, when 16-year-old Lamine Yamal cut inside from the right before curling a superb shot into the top left corner from 20 yards.
Four minutes later, Dani Olmo’s control and skill was too good for the French defence with his low shot turned into the net by Jules Kounde to make it 2-1.
Rodrigo was a dominant presence as always, breaking up play and setting Spain on the counter-attack.
And former City team-mates Aymeric Laporte and Jesus Navas ensured La Roja went in ahead at the break.
The second-half was less free-flowing, with Spain more conservative in possession and opportunities few and far between.
France, largely disappointing on their run to the semi-finals couldn’t find the spark needed to recover against arguably the best team at the championships so far, winning all six matches to date.
Earning cap number 55, Rodrigo took the captain’s armband on 76 minutes when Alvaro Morata was substituted.
The City lynchpin, magnificent throughout, continued to boss proceedings as he continued a superb tournament for his country, ultimately ensuring they controlled most of the time that remained.
Spain’s progress means that our No.16 has played continuously for more than 11 months with his season starting on 5 August last year in the Community Shield against Arsenal and ending some 62 matches later in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday 14 July.
And with a freak injury to Morata as the Spain players celebrated and a steward appeared to slide into Morata, injuring him in the process, Rodrigo could skipper his country once again in the final - though he will hope his team-mate recovers by the weekend.
