Spain continue to prove they have match winners throughout their squad as Mikel Merino delivered another decisive moment from the substitutes’ bench.
The Arsenal midfielder came off the bench for the second successive game to score a decisive goal, securing a 2-1 victory against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The win sends Spain into the last four of the tournament for only the second time, with the previous occasion in 2010 ending in World Cup glory.
Merino’s latest heroics have set up a semi-final meeting with France and a mouthwatering personal duel between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal on the biggest stage in football.
Few footballers embrace the super sub label willingly, but Merino’s journey to this point makes his contributions all the more remarkable given what he has overcome.
In January, the 30-year-old suffered a stress fracture in an area of his foot that even specialists had reportedly not encountered before, casting serious doubt over his World Cup participation.
The injury ruled him out of action for Arsenal for a significant period, and he was only able to return for the Gunners around a month before the tournament began.
He scored in stoppage time to eliminate Portugal in the last 16 and has now repeated those heroics against Belgium, cementing his status as one of Spain’s most important players.
“Mikel is incredible,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter-final win. “He has many qualities. He is a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great.”
De la Fuente added: “For us he is the standard of this idea, of this model. It is a pleasure to have him, and others but especially him. We know that without fail he is always there.”
Merino himself admitted that his presence at the tournament felt unthinkable just months ago, reflecting on a difficult road back to fitness.
“The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable,” Merino said after the Portugal win. “Now I am, as I said before, at the highest point, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career.”
His ability to make an impact from the bench will be familiar to Arsenal supporters, with Mikel Arteta having deployed the traditionally-minded midfielder as a striker on occasion at club level.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney paid tribute to the Spaniard’s knack for big moments, speaking on Match of the Day about what makes him such a valuable asset.
“Merino is just one of those players who arrives at the right time, at the right moment in big games,” Rooney said, capturing the widespread admiration for the midfielder’s tournament performances.
While Merino has thrived, attention is also turning to Lamine Yamal, who is yet to replicate the brilliance he showed during Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign at this World Cup.
The Barcelona teenager has played six games at the tournament and scored just one goal, falling short of the consistent influence produced by the likes of Messi, Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland.
Rooney urged patience with the youngster, noting: “You’ll have Lionel Messi making the wrong decisions at times. Let’s remember he came into this tournament injured, so he is still finding his rhythm in the game.”
Ex-Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta offered a measured assessment, acknowledging that Yamal has more to give while highlighting the platform Spain’s structure provides for him to flourish.
“It is true that his game has not transferred into goals or assists, but he is very influential in Spain’s game,” Azpilicueta said. “He wants to create the difference. He is always moving, so I think he has more to give to the team and now is the right time.”
Spain’s defensive record heading into the semi-final is exceptional, with Belgium’s goal the first they have conceded at this entire World Cup, but a free-scoring France side led by Mbappe will provide their sternest test yet.
