CORNERFLICK
Mikel Merino said Luis de la Fuente should send him on earlier after his late goal helped Spain reach the World Cup 2026 final.
The 30-year-old spoke to DAZN after the dramatic semi-final and joked that he should start scoring sooner so the coach is forced to introduce him earlier. He said the result showed that nothing in the tournament happens by chance and that the whole squad has been mentally ready for the moments that matter.
Merino also said the late winner was just one more step in Spain’s run, with two still to go. He stressed that the name on the scoresheet is secondary to the team’s progress, saying the main target is for Spain to keep moving towards the title.
De la Fuente again changed the game from the bench as Spain booked their place in the final in the closing minutes.