Merino: From mobility scooter to World Cup hero in six months

Mikel Merino might have hoped to appear earlier than the 85th minute against Belgium following 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 the history of the World Cup to score winning goals in separate knockout ties as a substitute but that doesn't really cover it. Merino was only given nine minutes plus stoppage time across the two games. It was all he needed.

Four days on from the brilliantly-taken strike that ended Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dream and broke Portuguese hearts, Merino was in exactly the right place again, pouncing on an error by Senne Lammens two minutes from time to dispatch Belgium.

The 30-year-old has only started one game at the tournament but he has dragged Spain into the semi-finals single-handedly.

Spain 2-1 Belgium - Match report and analysis

As it happened | Teams | Stats | Knockout bracket

World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup

Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App

All this from a player who was doubtful to even be at the World Cup after suffering a stress fracture of his foot with Arsenal in January. Merino later revealed the injury left him unable to walk for two months, needing a mobility scooter to get around.

"I had two options, to go down and cry myself into extinction, or keep my head up, be positive and use my time to improve other aspects," he said in an interview following his return to training in May.

The speed of his recovery highlights the work ethic and strength of character that makes him so important to his coaches but his remarkable impact on the pitch shows his biggest quality; his extraordinary habit of producing goals when it matters most.

Also See:

World Cup 2026 fixture schedule - your day-by-day guide

Knockout bracket and fixtures

Live group tables and third-place standings

World Cup fixtures

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

At the European Championship two years ago, it was his headed goal against Germany, in the penultimate minute of extra-time, that allowed Spain to go on and beat England in the final.

He has of course been similarly 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 rising to the big occasions he is now demonstrating with Spain.

All but one of the 11 Premier League goals he has scored for the Gunners have either drawn them level in games or put them in front.

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

"I have a great affection for all the players, but with Merino there's something special because we've known each other a long time," he said earlier this week. "If necessary, I'd go to pick him up at his house.

"He's world-class. I want to emphasise the importance of the players who come off the bench. Mikel never disappoints. He's a safe bet."

Having scored Spain's winner against Portugal, another player might have taken issue with not being called upon until the 86th minute in their next game, as the last of five substitutes.

But Merino's determination to make an impact was shown by the speed of his reaction to bury his goal. He anticipated the rebound when Pau Cubarsi struck his shot, alert to the situation.

Spain may need to be better in order to get past France in the semi-finals. If not, though, they have a player in Merino who can find a way.

"They're not scintillating, they could be better, " said Micah Richards on BBC One after the game. "But they are getting over the line. It's about moments in games and Merino in the last two games has certainly had his moments."

History suggests he may have more to come.