​Any side aiming for success must assemble a squad full of match-winners, and Spain are once again proving they have the players who can tilt a game in their favor. Mikel Merino delivered another decisive display as a substitute, guiding the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals by scoring the late winner against Belgium. The Arsenal midfielder, who came off the bench for the second consecutive game, struck in the 2-1 victory that sent Spain through to the last four.
Two other instances illustrate how a substitute has delivered the winning goal for Spain in World Cup knockout play: Merino’s dramatic strikes against Portugal in the round of 16 and Belgium in the quarter-finals. His latest heroics mean Spain are into the semi-finals for only the second time in their World Cup history and will meet France on Tuesday in a bid to reach the final. “Mikel is incredible,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the win. “He has many qualities. He is a player who, across the whole World Cup, could have played in whatever team and done great.” For the coach, Merino embodies the model and standard of the team’s approach. “It is a pleasure to have him—and others, but especially him. We know that, without fail, he is always there.”
Merino’s heroics will be familiar to Arsenal supporters, as the 30-year-old has repeatedly delivered crucial late goals for the Gunners in big moments. Former England striker Wayne Rooney highlighted Merino’s knack for appearing at the right time in important matches, saying on Match of the Day that Merino is “one of those players who arrives at the right time, at the right moment in big games.” The continuity of Merino’s impact now extends beyond club football to the international stage, illustrating why he is considered a cornerstone of Spain’s World Cup ambitions.
Spain’s progress to the semi-finals adds another chapter to a tournament built on depth, resilience, and timely contributions from seasoned veterans who can alter the course of a match off the bench. The narrative around Merino underscores a broader strategic philosophy: cultivate a squad with interchangeable parts capable of finishing games under pressure. His ability to deliver when called upon demonstrates both the value of tactical flexibility and the importance of players who maintain peak readiness, regardless of whether they start or are introduced as substitutes.
With France awaiting in the semi-finals, Spain will be counting on Merino’s continued late-game effectiveness and on the collective strength of a squad that has repeatedly shown it can adapt to different opponents and scenarios. The tournament’s chapters to date have reinforced the idea that modern World Cup campaigns are won by teams that blend star power with depth, and Spain’s box of match-winners, embodied by Merino’s clinical late strike, is proving critical to their pursuit of gold.