Pedro Porro appears to have made Spain's right-back position his own at exactly the right time. After arriving at the World Cup with that role still open to debate, he has used Spain's run to the last four to underline his value on both sides of the ball.
His strongest statement came in Spain's 2-0 semi-final victory over France in Dallas. Porro not only helped contain France's dangerous wide threat, but also added a spectacular goal, delivering the kind of all-action performance that can settle a selection debate.
Spain have benefited from his energy down the flank, where he has given the team both defensive security and forward momentum. That blend has turned what looked like an uncertain area into a source of strength during the tournament.
With the stakes rising and the spotlight at its brightest, Porro produced when Spain needed it most. On a night that sent Spain into the World Cup final, he reinforced the sense that the right-back berth is no longer up for grabs.
