The Navarre midfielder scored in the 88th minute, securing Spain's place in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. It's his third decisive goal in just two years with the national team.
Mikel Merino was once again the hero for Spain. The Real Sociedad midfielder scored in the 88th minute, giving the Spanish national team victory against Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, held in Los Angeles. A goal that is worth a ticket to the semifinals and confirms the player as the man for decisive moments.
The goal came after a rebound in the Belgian area. Merino, alert, pushed the ball into the net, unleashing madness on the Spanish bench. This is not the first time he has done it. In the Euro 2024, his header in the 119th minute against Germany in the quarter-finals secured Spain's place, which then went on to win the tournament. In the 2026 World Cup, he had already scored in the 91st minute against Portugal in the round of 16. Three goals, three qualifications.
Luis de la Fuente's trust rewarded
Coach Luis de la Fuente has always defended Merino. Even when the player was suffering from a serious foot injury that kept him out from late January to late May. The coach gradually gave him minutes in the preparatory matches and in the group stage of the World Cup to help him regain rhythm. And the plan has worked.
“I look back, see Mikel Merino and say: ‘I’m completely at ease’,” De la Fuente declared after the match. The coach had already stated before the tournament that he would go to Merino's house “to carry him in his arms” if necessary. Now it is the player who is carrying the team.
The goal against Belgium had an emotional bonus. Merino admitted that he thought “I wouldn’t get another chance for a long time.” And this goal was particularly special: his wife and son Marco, born on May 9, were at the Los Angeles stadium. In fact, the family travelled to the United States thanks to Merino qualifying Spain for the quarter-finals. The plan was to add at least eight more days of the tournament; now they are already in the semifinals.
One, two, three… Mikel Merino again
Luis de la Fuente surprised in the press conference the day before by recalling a phrase from the legendary Spanish television contest 'Un, dos, tres': “One, two, three… answer again.” Translated to football, the coach turned it into “One, two, three… Mikel Merino again.” And the script was fulfilled.
“I suffered and enjoyed. At home, we were very much into the national team, we lived the matches intensely, and we also enjoyed Eurovision and 'Un, dos, tres',” De la Fuente explained. The phrase has become a meme among fans, who now see Merino as the talisman of the national team.
For the player, the moment is sweet. Having overcome the injury, he has been a starter in key matches and has responded with goals. Spain has been in concentration for 40 days since May 30, and the goal of winning the World Cup remains intact. The next opponent will come from the clash between Argentina and Brazil. But with Merino on a roll, the fans dream of repeating the feat of 2010, when Spain surpassed the quarter-finals and became champions.
In fact, until 2010, Spain had fallen in the quarter-finals on four consecutive occasions. That year, Vicente del Bosque's team broke the curse. Now, with Merino as the protagonist, history seems to be repeating itself. The player, who is already a symbol of resilience, knows his role: to keep responding when the team needs him most.
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