When Luis de la Fuente needs a goal, he knows exactly who to call. Mikel Merino has repeatedly proven himself as Spain’s ultimate clutch player, delivering crucial strikes when the pressure is highest. From his dramatic winner against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals to his decisive goals in the 2026 World Cup, Merino has become the man of the moment. He struck again this Tuesday, coming off the bench in Split to seal a vital comeback win against Luka Modric’s Croatia.
Merino credits his success to the collective spirit of the squad rather than individual glory. He described his latest winning goal as a perfect team effort, praising Martín Zubimendi for the precise pass that set him up. For Merino, these big moments are simply the result of playing for such a tight-knit family.