Merino's magic: Replicating his father's iconic celebration

Just two minutes after coming off the bench, Mikel Merino changed the course of the match. The 30-year-old midfielder secured Spain's place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals with a dramatic 88th-minute match-winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. His celebration after the goal grabbed equal attention. Running around the corner flag, he recreated his father's iconic celebration from three decades ago, delivering an emotionally charged moment.

There is family history behind Merino's celebration. Thirty-three years ago, his father, Ángel Miguel Merino Torres, celebrated in the exact same manner by circling the corner flag after scoring for Osasuna against Stuttgart in a UEFA Cup match. Following the son's goal, that scene was vividly brought back to life on the World Cup stage. Merino had previously celebrated in the same fashion after scoring the winning goal against Portugal in the Round of 16 of the current World Cup. Additionally, he had paid tribute to his father with the same celebration after scoring the extra-time winner against Germany in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinals.

"I did it again, it happened to me again; so I think the coincidence really exists. If you are ready and you try, it can happen to you too," a smiling Merino said after the match. Manager Luis de la Fuente gave a brief yet meaningful reaction, stating that before sending him onto the pitch, he had only told Merino he would play in the number 10 position, and after the match, he told him, "You are incredible!"

Spain dominated the match against Belgium from the start. Fabian Ruiz put Spain ahead in the first half, but Charles De Ketelaere equalized for Belgium. As the match seemed headed toward extra time, Merino capitalized on a mistake by substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 88th minute. Merino slotted the ball into the net after it slipped from the goalkeeper's gloves, securing a priceless victory for Spain. By scoring the match-winner as a substitute for the second consecutive knockout match, he established himself as the team's 'super sub'.

With this victory, Spain reached the semifinals for the first time in sixteen years since winning the World Cup in 2010; they were eliminated in the group stage in 2014, and suffered Round-of-16 exits after penalty shootout losses in both 2018 and 2022. La Roja will face Kylian Mbappé's France on July 14 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Many view this clash between the two European powerhouses as an early final, with France having already secured their spot in the final four after defeating Morocco. Mikel Merino, who continues to prove himself on the grand stage, will remain a major source of hope for Spain in that battle.