Spain’s Semi‑Final Hope Fueled by Merino’s Heroics

Merino’s Comeback Fuels Spain’s Semi‑Final Charge

Spain advanced to the World Cup semi‑finals with a 2‑1 win over Belgium, thanks to a dramatic late strike from Mikel Merino. The Arsenal midfielder, who entered the match for the second straight game, netted the decisive goal and repeated a similar heroics against Portugal in the last 16. Merino’s journey back to the national side was far from straightforward.

Early in January he suffered an unusual stress fracture in his foot—an injury even specialists had rarely seen. The ailment sidelined him for Arsenal and cast serious doubt over his World Cup participation, but he returned just weeks before the tournament began. Not only did he earn a spot in Spain’s squad, but he quickly became a key factor in their run.

Coach Luis de la Fuente praised the midfielder, calling him “a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great.” Merino himself admitted that being here a few months ago was “unthinkable,” and now he describes the moment as one of the happiest of his career. His ability to deliver in big games echoes his past at Arsenal, where manager Mikel Arteta deployed him as a striker, notably scoring twice against Leicester in February of last year.

Lamine Yamal’s Mixed Season at the World Cup

While Merino shines, Spain’s teenage attacker Lamine Yamal has yet to fully ignite on the global stage. In six tournament games he has netted just one goal and recorded zero assists, a stark contrast to the impact he made during Euro 2024. At times he has taken risky shots instead of laying the ball off, prompting former England striker Wayne Rooney to note that “you’ll have Lionel Messi making the wrong decisions at times.”

Yamal entered the competition nursing an injury and is still searching for rhythm, though his dribbling and pace help carve space for teammates like Merino. Spain’s former defender Cesar Azpilicueta acknowledged the player’s influence despite the lacking statistics: “He is very influential in Spain’s game… he wants to create the difference.”

Spain Set for France Encounter

Spain’s defensive solidity has been a hallmark of the tournament, allowing only Belgium’s goal as the sole strike against them. However, the upcoming semi‑final against France will put that backline to the test, especially with Kylian Mbappé’s free‑scoring form ahead of them. Spain will need the attacking trio, including Yamal, to ease pressure on the defence.

Coach De la Fuente’s side also carries historical weight: this is only their second semi‑final appearance, the previous one in 2010 leading to a World Cup triumph. The contrast between Mbappé’s current potency and Yamal’s struggle to convert opens a compelling narrative for the clash. As former defender Cesar Azpilicueta noted, “Now is the right time” for Yamal to unleash his potential.

Spain’s fans and pundits await a showdown that could rewrite the story of this World Cup, with Merino again likely to be the unexpected hero and Yamal set to prove he belongs among the tournament’s elite.