Mikel Merino is Mr. Clutch for Spain once again: World Cup performance 'extraordinary'

INGLEWOOD, CA — Need a goal? Better call Mikel Merino.

Lightning struck twice for Spain in the World Cup knockout round, with the forward coming on as a late substitute for the second straight game and again scoring the game-winning goal not long afterwards to keep La Roja alive.

The latest heroics topped the previous ones, with Merino finding the net in the 88th minute of the quarterfinal matchup to beat Belgium on Friday, July 10, advancing Spain to the semifinals. That after scoring late against Portugal in the round of 16.

He became the first substitute in World Cup history to score the winning goal in two different knockout stage matches.

Even after doing it again, Merino still can’t fathom how clutch he’s come up for his squad.

“Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined achieving what’s happening,” he said in Spanish.

It’s one thing for substitutes to make an impact in the limited time they are active, but there may be nobody else putting as big a stamp on the game in such a short amount of minutes.

Against Portugal, Merino came on in the 85th minute, and scored the winner in the first minute of stoppage time. Against Belgium, Merino ran on the pitch in the 86th minute, and just two minutes later, all of his teammates were rushing toward him as he celebrated another goal. 

That’s two goals in just eight minutes of action. 

SPAIN TAKES THE LATE LEAD IN CHAOTIC FASHION 🤯

Mikel Merino is the super sub once again for La Roja! pic.twitter.com/oXE2gDVa14

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 10, 2026

“The truth is that (Merino) is doing something extraordinary, whether coming off the bench or starting,” said winger Nico Williams.

How does someone be that effective?

In Merino’s thoughts, it’s all about getting to the right spot to create at the right time.

“It was a lot like the other day: getting out there, trying my best and positioning myself in areas where I could hurt the opposition. They’re very well-organized, but when you get bodies into the box, things happen. It was about staying alert for any loose balls or passes,” he said. “It worked out well.”

Merino’s goal was an opportunistic one. Defender Pau Cubarsí decided to drill a shot from way outside the box, which shouldn’t have been much trouble for Belgium’s goalkeeper. However, it was Senne Lammens – not Thibaut Courtois – back there after the starter left the match earlier with an injury. 

With Lammens suddenly thrust into his World Cup debut, Merino sensed there could be a potential mistake. It came true when Lammens couldn’t wrangle the ball, and it spilled out right for Merino to knock it in past him.

“Sometimes when I step onto the pitch, I trust that my moment will come,” Merino said. “Honestly, it’s incredible to be able to help the team once more, in a different way this time.”

The goal was a sigh of relief for all of Spain, considering how Belgium could have easily stolen the game. Even though it had a goal in the first half and controlled possession, the Spaniards had difficulty generating clean looks.

Star teenager Lamine Yamal was again denied for the fourth consecutive match, almost feeling like there’s some invisible force preventing him from scoring his second World Cup goal. He and his teammates were threatening plenty, with 17 shots on the day. Entering the final minutes of the match, seven of them were on goal, with Courtois playing well near his post before Lammens came in.

Then there was also Belgium scoring on goalkeeper Unai Simon, the first goal Spain had conceded in this tournament. It proved Spain wasn’t invincible, and the Red Devils were threatening to do it again.

With the game nearing extra time, Luis de la Fuente deployed the secret weapon, someone he calls “a very complete footballer.”

“He's very versatile. He's played as a No. 6, 8, 10 and 9, and he does it all well,” de la Fuente said. “He does it all well because among other things, he has an exceptional understanding of the game. He has that vision that the team needs and the calmness to read moments in the game.”

Still, Merino finds it all very hard to believe he has scored two of the most critical goals for Spain in this tournament. Because of him, La Roja’s unbeaten streak is extended to 36 straight matches, one shy of tying the all-time record of 37, set by Italy. Most importantly, Spain is on to the semifinals of the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when it won its lone title.

With how clutch Merino has been, you may think he may find himself in the starting XI when Spain faces France in a battle of heavyweights.

Or he may just come off the bench late again and try to give another dose of Merino magic. It happening a third time to send Spain into the World Cup final? Don’t count it out.

“I do believe in some coincidences, but I don't think this is one,” Merino said. “Hopefully, more will follow, though that doesn't mean you should get used to seeing me score in the final minute every time, because that’s very unlikely to happen again. 

“Still, whenever I’m on a football pitch, I’ll be ready.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mikel Merino is Mr. Clutch for Spain once again: World Cup performance 'extraordinary'