Merino is Magic for Both Club and Country – Which is Why Spain Will Probably Win the World Cup

Merino is Magic for Both Club and Country – Which is Why Spain Will Probably Win the World Cup

Spain and Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was at it again off the bench for La Roja last night, scoring an 88th minute winner against Belgium in the second FIFA World Cup quarter final.

It was just four days ago when the 30-year-old came in clutch to save Luis de la Fuente’s side from heading to extra-time against Portugal in the last 16, and now not only has he scored two knockout stage goals in just 28 minutes of playing time, but he has become Spain’s first and only player to ever score two winning goals in a knockout stage after coming off the bench.

Without a doubt Spain have one of the best starting xi’s in the competition, but Merino has been at the forefront proving that they probably also have the best depth in terms of clutch factor and quality – so why can’t they go ahead and win it all?

Only twice has a substitute scored a winning goal for Spain in a World Cup knockout game...

The first was Mikel Merino against Portugal, and the second was Mikel Merino against Belgium 😮 pic.twitter.com/gv2OJx7Xbv

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 10, 2026

Clutch in Gunners Red and La Roja

Speak to any Arsenal fan and they will rarely have anything bad to say about Merino, which is testament to the unique qualities and improvements that he gives to both club and country.

Merino doesn’t start that many matches either, but what he offers off the bench is that clear knack for finding the right positions and possessing the hunger to finish off anything he can latch on to.

The ex-Real Sociedad man only started 10 times for the Gunners during the 2025/26 Premier League season, and most of those games came when Kai Havertz was out with a knee injury.

Due to Viktor Gyokeres also taking some time to settle in at the Emirates, it meant that Mikel Arteta indeed gave the nod to Merino to start as the main man up top – and he did not disappoint.

There were many games where he proved his quality in front of goal, earning some valuable points pre-Christmas which gave Arsenal the buffer they very much needed to stay above Manchester City in the race to win their first league title in over two decades.

Prior to the German’s absence, Merino netted the equaliser at St James’ Park in late September, which saw them flip the game on its head within the last 10 minutes. Merino then began to lead the line from November, where he bagged a brace in a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague in Europe, an equalising goal at Stamford Bridge in a thrilling draw, before being involved in both goals the following week against Brentford.

These moments earned Arsenal a crucial six points, something which could have potentially put a huge and insurmountable dent in Arsenal’s title hopes – but because of moments like these, the Gunners wrapped it up with games in hand.

Merino has proven to be in a similar role during the World Cup this summer with Spain. A side that has quite frankly looked rather lacklustre and very, very dull at times. Starting with an unthinkable draw with Cabo Verde, they continued to stumble through – with their only comfortable and quality games coming against Saudi Arabia and Austria where neither side particularly stood a chance.

Since that victory in the last 32, however, Spain have struggled to reflect their dominance on the scoreboard – until there is a big green “6” on the fourth official’s board.

MIKEL MERINO GIVES SPAIN THE LEAD!

It's a costly mistake from Senne Lammens who replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois 😬 pic.twitter.com/l2rOjjSudg

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 10, 2026

It’s the Impact That Counts

Merino has started just one game during Spain’s World Cup campaign so far, in a 1-0 win over an embarrassing Uruguay side. The 30-year-old has come off the bench in every other game though, but either when the game is already over, or failing to inspire an uninspiring side.

In the past two knockout games, however, Merino has come onto the pitch with just five minutes of regulation left to play and the scores level. Although he probably became the most hated player in Portugal last week. His late winner against Portugal in the last 16 knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo for what will be the final time after he caught their defence napping just seconds into stoppage time, picking out a pocket of space between the centre-backs, slotting past a stubborn Diogo Costa.

Against Belgium, he reacted quickest to a fumble by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens to confirm a World Cup semi final against France on Tuesday. Merino only featured for nine minutes over these two games, but the impact he had on them has seen them go from potentially bombing out in the round of 16, to one step away from an attempt at a second Jules Rimet.

Mikel Merino made the difference for Spain again! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Qn9XG2Yc8o

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 10, 2026

Game, Shot, Spain?

Spain haven’t lost any international in regular or extra-time in 37 matches – a run that stretches beyond 2024’s UEFA European Championships, so a penalty shootout seems to be the only way a team can put de la Fuente’s side away.

Furthermore, although Spain are yet to play any really pretty football, they always seem to find a way – something only a world champion side knows how to do.

Their record against Les Bleus is very impressive in recent times too, with their last game a thrilling 5-4 win for La Roja in the Nations League semi final, with France’s last head-to-head win coming in 2021.

Spain have been one of the firm favourites before a ball was even kicked, and although they haven’t quite been at peak levels just yet, France may well be the side where we see Spain kick it up a notch and if so, it could be curtains for any other hopefuls.