Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Mikel Merino Spain heroics lit up the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 as the midfielder scored a late winner against Portugal in Arlington to send La Roja into the quarter-finals.
The goal came in stoppage time after Merino, Fabián Ruiz and Ferran Torres combined quickly from a free-kick, with Merino driving into the area before beating Diogo Costa.
The drama followed another major knockout moment, with USA vs Belgium ending after Matt Freese’s costly error halted the USMNT World Cup run.
Merino Delivers Again
Merino had only been on the pitch six minutes, but he changed the match with the same late instinct that made him a Euro 2024 hero.
In that tournament, he scored with 65 seconds left to send Spain into the semi-finals. This time, there was even less time remaining when he sent Spain past Portugal.
The celebration carried a familiar emotion.
Merino circled the corner flag, echoing the celebration his father Ángel Miguel once performed after a late winner for Osasuna.
Injury Battle Makes Goal Sweeter
Merino’s World Cup place had looked unlikely after a stress fracture in his foot left him on crutches for two months.
He played only 28 minutes between January and the tournament, and arrived in the United States still short of full fitness.
“When they told me about my injury, I thought I would not be at the World Cup, but here I am,” he said.
Merino also spent much of the build-up away from his wife Lola and their baby son Marco, who is only two months old.
“When that happens you remember everything – the good things and the bad things, all the things you have at home,” Merino said.
“The injury, not seeing my little one grow: I used that as strength to get the best out of me. This is the product of the hard work my family always inculcated in me. I did my part. For it to happen in the last minute again, I am so happy.”
Merino wore the red scarf of San Fermín after the match, linking the win to celebrations back in Pamplona.
“Enjoy it,” he said, “celebrating with your loved ones is the most beautiful thing in life.”
Official tournament updates are available through FIFA.
