Between his grandfather and his son: Pedro Porro's first goal for Spain

When Pedro Porro made his senior debut for Spain against Georgia in March 2021, he could hardly have imagined the journey that lay ahead. Five years later, he is enjoying the finest moment of his international career in the midst of the FIFA World Cup.

Having started in the Round of 16—after also featuring in the starting line-up during the second group-stage match—the Don Benito native has earned the complete trust of Luis de la Fuente through the infectious positivity that he says he inherited from his grandfather Antonio, his performances on the pitch, and his unwavering commitment to the team.

Displays such as the one he produced against Austria last Friday underline the outstanding form of the Tottenham Hotspur defender, widely regarded as one of Europe's leading right-backs. Solid defensively and relentless going forward, his tireless running throughout the match was rewarded in the 66th minute when, from an Álex Baena cross, he powered a superb header into the net to make it 2-0. It was a particularly special moment: his first goal for Spain, celebrated with an emotional tribute to his son.

"My grandfather says he gave me a push from home to help me score that goal, and I'm incredibly proud because I know he's happy."

Now, after reaching his 20th appearance for the Spanish national team and opening his international scoring account, the No. 12 is fully focused on overcoming Portugal and helping Spain continue its journey in the world's most demanding international tournament.