Mikel Merino has gone from reliable squad player to Spain’s biggest knockout hero at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After scoring decisive late winners against both Portugal and Belgium, the Arsenal midfielder has become one of the tournament’s most influential substitutes, raising an important question ahead of Spain’s semi-final against France.
Should Luis de la Fuente continue using Merino as his game-changing option from the bench, or has the 30-year-old done enough to deserve a place in the starting lineup?
Following another match-winning contribution in Spain’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Belgium, the argument for promoting Merino into the first XI has never been stronger.
Spain’s Unexpected Match Winner
Spain have built their World Cup campaign around controlling possession.
No team remaining in the tournament has dominated the ball more consistently than La Roja, whose patient passing and technical quality have overwhelmed opponents throughout the competition.
Yet despite that control, Spain have occasionally struggled to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities.
That is where Mikel Merino has become invaluable.
Against Portugal in the Round of 16, he came off the bench to score the decisive winner. Days later, he repeated the feat against Belgium, replacing Dani Olmo before scoring just two minutes after entering the pitch.
Two knockout matches.
Two late winners.
Two reasons why Spain remain in the tournament.
Merino Offers Something Different
Spain’s current attacking system is built around movement, creativity and technical ability.
Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal constantly interchange positions, creating space through quick combinations rather than physical presence.
Merino offers a completely different profile.
His intelligent movement inside the penalty area, aerial ability and instinct for arriving at the right moment provide Spain with another attacking dimension that few opponents have been prepared for.
His winning goal against Belgium perfectly demonstrated those qualities, reacting quickest inside the six-yard box after Pau Cubarsí’s long-range effort was spilled by the goalkeeper.
Sometimes tournaments are decided not by spectacular goals, but by players who consistently appear in the right place at the right time.
Merino has mastered that role.
More Than Just Goals
While his two winning goals naturally attract attention, Merino contributes much more than finishing.
The Arsenal midfielder adds physicality to Spain’s midfield, helps recover possession and provides extra protection against opposition counterattacks.
Those qualities could become even more important against France.
With Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise leading one of the tournament’s most dangerous attacks, Spain will need midfielders capable of contributing defensively as well as offensively.
Merino’s work rate makes him an attractive option for exactly that reason.
Tactical Analysis
Luis de la Fuente faces one of his biggest decisions of the tournament.
His current starting lineup has developed strong chemistry, but recent performances have shown that Spain sometimes lack a consistent presence inside the penalty area.
Introducing Merino from the start could solve that problem.
His ability to attack crosses, occupy central defenders and make late runs into dangerous areas would create additional space for creative players like Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo.
France’s defense has looked extremely solid throughout the World Cup, meaning Spain may need a different attacking approach to unlock Les Bleus.
Merino could provide exactly that tactical variation.
Should Spain Change a Winning Formula?
The strongest argument against starting Merino is simple.
Spain keep winning.
The current lineup has guided La Roja into the semi-finals while controlling virtually every match they have played.
Making major tactical changes at this stage always carries risk.
At the same time, knockout football often rewards managers willing to make bold decisions.
If Merino continues deciding matches from the bench, starting him may simply become the logical next step.
France Present a New Challenge
Spain’s semi-final against France promises to be their toughest test of the tournament.
Unlike previous opponents, France possess enough attacking quality to punish even the smallest defensive mistakes.
Spain will likely dominate possession once again, but converting chances efficiently will be absolutely essential.
Merino has repeatedly shown he can provide that decisive finishing touch.
Whether he starts or once again comes off the bench, his importance to Spain’s World Cup campaign continues to grow.
Key Takeaways
- Mikel Merino scored his second consecutive knockout winner against Belgium.
- The Arsenal midfielder also decided Spain’s Round of 16 victory over Portugal.
- Spain now face France in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals.
- Merino offers physicality, intelligent movement and clinical finishing.
- Luis de la Fuente faces a major decision over his starting lineup.
Final Thoughts
Few players have had a greater impact on the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage than Mikel Merino. His late winners against Portugal and Belgium have transformed him into Spain’s unexpected hero, proving that influence is measured by decisive moments rather than minutes played. Whether Luis de la Fuente rewards him with a starting place or continues using him as a game-changing substitute, Merino has become an indispensable part of Spain’s World Cup journey. Against France, La Roja may once again need their unlikely hero to deliver when it matters most.
