Michael Merino: Arsenal midfielder proving Spain’s World Cup hero after injury leaves him on mobility scooter | football news

Mikel Merino was expected to feature before the 85th minute against Belgium after his match-winning impact from the bench against Portugal. Instead, he had to wait until the 86th. no matter Another late cameo, another decisive goal.

He is the first player in World Cup history to score the winning goal in a separate knockout tie as a substitute but that doesn’t really cover it. Merino was allowed just nine minutes plus stoppage time in two games. It was what he needed.

Four days after the brilliantly taken strike that ended Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dreams and broke Portuguese hearts, Merino was on the spot again, pouncing on a Seine Lammens error two minutes from time to send Belgium through.

The 30-year-old started just one game at the tournament but single-handedly led Spain to the semi-finals.

From a player who was still in doubt for the World Cup after suffering a stress fracture in his foot with Arsenal in January. Merino later revealed that the injury left him unable to walk for two months, requiring a mobility scooter to get around.

“I had two options, go down and cry myself to extinction, or keep my head up, be positive and use my time to improve other aspects,” he said in an interview after returning to training in May.

His speed of recovery highlights the work ethic and strength of character that make him so important to his coaches but his tremendous impact on the pitch shows his greatest attribute; His uncanny habit of making goals when it matters most.

This is not the first time he has come in the clutch for his country.

At the European Championships two years ago, his headed goal against Germany in the last minute of extra time allowed Spain to advance and beat England in the final.

He has certainly been equally decisive for Arsenal, where he has evolved from midfielder to centre-forward and everything in between following his arrival from Real Sociedad in the summer of Spain’s European Championship success in 2024.

He counts Liverpool, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Newcastle among the teams he has scored against for Arsenal, underlining the knack for the big occasions he is now turning up with Spain.

All but one of the 11 Premier League goals have been for the Gunners to tie or put them in the game.

That statistic helps explain why he is so highly valued by Mikel Arteta and has a similar level of trust from Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, who first worked with him in the country’s youth team.

“I have great affection for all the players, but there’s something special with Merino because we’ve known each other for a long time,” he said earlier this week. “I would have gone to pick him up at his house if needed.

“He is world class. I want to emphasize the players coming off the bench. Mikel never disappoints. He is a safe bet.”

After scoring Spain’s winner against Portugal, another player could be in trouble with not being called up until the 86th minute in their next game, the last of five substitutes.

But Merino’s determination to make an impact was demonstrated by the speed of his reaction to bury his goal. Pau Cubersi was alert to the situation and took a shot as he anticipated the rebound.

Spain will need to be better if they want to overtake France in the semi-finals. If not, though, they have a player in Merino who can find a way.

“They’re not impressive, they could be better,” says Micah Richards on BBC One After the game “But they are crossing the line. It’s about the moments of the game and Merino has certainly had his moments in the last two games.”

History says there may be more to come.