CORNERFLICK
Mikel Merino scored a late winner for Spain against Portugal, repeating the knockout-stage role he played at Euro 2024 when he struck in the 119th minute against Germany.
The 30-year-old came off the bench and settled the last-16 tie in Dallas with a goal in the 91st minute, sending Spain through 1-0.
Merino is not Spain's most prominent name and he is not a striker by trade, but he has developed a habit of arriving at decisive moments. His goal against Germany in Stuttgart in July 2024 took Spain into the European Championship semi-finals, and this latest finish came under similar pressure.
His style helps explain the pattern. Merino is tall, physical and left-footed, and he is comfortable breaking into the box from midfield without leaving Spain exposed in the middle of the pitch. Arsenal have also used him up front at points in the 2024/25 season, underlining his flexibility.
His celebration, a spin around the corner flag, is a nod to his father, Ángel Merino, who used the same movement after scoring for Osasuna against Stuttgart in the 1991 Uefa Cup.