Spain reach World Cup last four again as Merino deepens his legend | OneFootball

Spain reached their second World Cup semi-final, the first since 2010 ended in the title. They will meet France on Tuesday, a reprise of Euro 2024 when Spain prevailed.

Merino’s legend began two years ago with the last-minute extra-time 2-1 winner in Stuttgart that knocked out Germany at Euro 2024. On Monday he came on in the 84th minute and, seven minutes later, sank Portugal by arriving in the box to finish a Ferran Torres pass. “When I scored against Portugal, Stuttgart came to mind and I thought, how lucky I am,” he said to Cadena Ser after that win.

In Los Angeles it took him two minutes to decide the quarter-final. Introduced in the 86th minute, he struck in the 88th after Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort was spilled by Senne Lammens, then was swamped by team-mates alongside Dani Olmo.

For Lammens it was a brutal night. He had turned 24 on Tuesday and, with only three club games all season, the Manchester United reserve was thrust into a World Cup quarter-final for his third cap. Belgium also lost Youri Tielemans in the warm-up and later saw Kevin De Bruyne go off.

Merino played down talk of fate, saying he was simply happy to do it once and then again, and that it was about being ready if another chance arrived.

Luis de la Fuente called him world class and said Spain were fortunate to have him, yet still keeps him in reserve. He believes Merino will be needed, and that he will deliver for him and for Spain.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo