Mikel Merino the supersub strikes again as Spain edge Belgium in World Cup quarter-final | OneFootball

Mikel Merino struck late again, coming on in the 85th minute to grab Spain's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final winner over Belgium in Los Angeles.

The Arsenal midfielder has carved out the supersub role for Spain at this tournament, according to L'Équipe. He may not resemble the late 90s Manchester United match-winner, but you could almost call him Ole Gunnar Merino.

He replaced a bright but fading Dani Olmo, then, in the 88th minute, Belgium failed to close Pau Curbarsi 20 metres out. With Thibaut Courtois injured, stand-in Senne Lammens spilled the defender's shot and Merino pounced. The goal roused a flat crowd, Javier Bardem aside.

On Sunday in Dallas, he had also entered on 85 minutes against Portugal and finished in added time from Ferran Torres to make it 1-0. He finally beat Diogo Costa, eliminating Portugal and ending Cristiano Ronaldo's campaign.

Mikel Arteta even used Merino as a false nine in 2024-2025, and he scored six in six during qualifying before a foot fracture in late January. Out for four months, he returned only on the Premier League's final day for under half an hour.

Luis de la Fuente waited for him, easing him through June with 20-minute cameos, then similar minutes in Atlanta against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia before a start against Uruguay for about an hour. He later praised Merino as dependable in big moments and among the best in his position.

Source: L'Équipe