Merino's late heroics send Spain to World Cup semifinals

Mikel Merino once again became Spain's unlikely hero, scoring an 88th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals. This mirrors his decisive goal in the round of 16 against Portugal, leaving the midfielder in awe.

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It's surreal that this has happened to me two games in a row.

"It's surreal that this has happened to me two games in a row," Merino confessed after the match in Los Angeles. He recounted his surprise at repeating such a feat so soon after his previous game-winner. "Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined something like this, another goal in the final minutes. I thought it would take me a long time to repeat something like this... and I achieved it in the very next game!" he exclaimed.

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Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined something like this, another goal in the final minutes. I thought it would take me a long time to repeat something like this... and I achieved it in the very next game!

Despite the astonishing coincidence, Merino emphasized that these decisive moments stem from a strong belief and mentality rather than pure luck. "Coincidences don't exist, I always say that. You have to go out with desire, believe in it, and always want to contribute wherever you are," he stated firmly.

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Coincidences don't exist, I always say that. You have to go out with desire, believe in it, and always want to contribute wherever you are.

Looking ahead, Spain faces a high-stakes semifinal against France, a match Merino anticipates will be a fierce, head-to-head contest. "It's going to be a head-to-head match. In a semifinal, it can only be like this. We go with a lot of hunger and desire against France," he declared, promising the team will give their all to reach the final.

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It's going to be a head-to-head match. In a semifinal, it can only be like this. We go with a lot of hunger and desire against France.