​Who is Mikel Merino? Meet the Spain sub who came on late against Belgium and propelled La Roja into the semifinals, originally published by The Sporting News. The Sporting News is a preferred source—add it to your sources by clicking here. Spain has done it again, edging through another tight match with a late goal to push into the semifinals. La Roja’s stout defense has carried them to this stage, yet they still needed timely scoring to seal the win. That is where Mikel Merino steps in, establishing himself as a legend for Spain with his instant offense off the bench in the last two rounds.
Merino now has two goals in his last two appearances, both of which were decisive game-winners in the closing moments. He rarely features for the full 90 minutes, but when he does, he brings a burst of fresh attacking energy to complement Spain’s suffocating defense. Learn more about Mikel Merino, who delivered a second late winner, this time against Belgium in the quarterfinals.
World Cup HQ 2026: the latest World Cup news, full schedule, and ticket information. Mikel Merino is a 30-year-old midfielder and forward who has been a key substitute for Spain during this World Cup campaign. Over the past two seasons, Merino has been on the books at Arsenal, recording 11 goals in 50 appearances while starting 27 times for the club. He did not score during the group stage or the Round of 32, but he delivered the crucial deciding goal off the bench against Portugal. Then, in a similar late-game scenario against Belgium, Merino again found the back of the net to send Spain through to the semifinals.
Merino’s late-game heroics have become a talking point in Spain’s run to a deep tournament finish. His game-winning strike against Belgium came from a flash of opportunism on a broken play: backup Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to secure the ball, allowing Merino to pounce and finish. Merino’s role as a substitute who injects late offense has become a trusted weapon for Spain, especially in matches where their defense has controlled much of the proceedings but needed a late push to break through.
Manager Luis de la Fuente has highlighted Merino’s impact beyond the stat sheet, noting that his entry timing has helped shape Spain’s approach in tight games. Merino first came on against Portugal in the 85th minute, then entered the Belgium match at the 86th minute, with both appearances resulting in decisive goals. These late goals have underscored Merino’s value as a tactical substitute who can alter the momentum and outcomes of crucial fixtures.
In terms of his club career, Merino has been with Arsenal for the last two seasons, featuring in 50 matches and contributing 11 goals. Before joining Arsenal, he spent five seasons in Spain with Real Sociedad in La Liga. His professional journey also includes stints with Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle, adding a varied international resume to his profile.
Merino’s ability to read the game, his stamina, and his knack for arriving at the right moment have made him an essential asset for Spain’s World Cup campaign. While he may not dominate from start to finish, his late-game introductions have repeatedly altered the course of matches, turning close encounters into victories and keeping La Roja on track for a potential title run.