Merino's World Cup Comeback
Mikel Merino Overcomes Injury Fears, Propels Spain to 2026 World Cup Quarterfinals After Euro Goal
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Mikel Merino scored a crucial goal to send Spain past Portugal and into the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. The Navarra-born midfielder then revealed the emotional weight behind the moment, saying he had feared he would never make it to the tournament. 'I thought I wasn't going to get here,' Merino admitted, according to La Opinión de Málaga.
The goal marks a stunning repeat of his heroics at Euro 2024, when Merino scored a late winner against Germany to send Spain into the quarterfinals of that competition. This time, the stakes were even higher — a World Cup knockout stage spot on the line against Spain's Iberian rivals.
A Serious Injury Almost Ended His World Cup Dream
Merino suffered a grave injury in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup that left serious doubts about his participation. The midfielder did not hide his fear in the aftermath of the match. He openly said he had believed the tournament would pass him by, according to El Periódico de Aragón.
The moment of scoring against Portugal made the comeback all the more powerful. Fighting back from a serious setback to then deliver a match-winning goal on the biggest stage is exactly the kind of story that defines a tournament. Merino, clearly emotional, did not hold back when speaking to reporters after the final whistle.
Merino Repeats His Euro 2024 Heroics Against Portugal
At Euro 2024, Merino became a national hero with a last-gasp header against Germany that sent Spain into the last eight. Now he has done it again — a decisive goal against Portugal to clinch Spain's place in the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals, according to Diario Córdoba.
The ability to deliver in elimination games is rare. Merino has now done it twice in back-to-back major tournaments for Spain. That kind of record puts him among the most clutch performers the national team has produced in recent years.
Spain Advances to World Cup Quarterfinals After Iberian Derby
The win over Portugal was a high-pressure knockout tie between two of Europe's top nations. Spain came through it with Merino's decisive contribution sealing the result. The victory books Spain's spot in the last eight of the 2026 World Cup, according to El Periódico Mediterráneo.
Spain's squad continues to show the depth and resilience that made them European champions in 2024. With Merino stepping up in the biggest moments once again, La Roja look like genuine title contenders heading into the quarterfinals.
From Recovery Room to Match-Winner on the World Stage
Merino's words after the game painted a picture of a player who fought hard just to be on that pitch. 'I thought I wasn't going to get here,' he said. Those words, reported by El Correo Web, show just how close Spain came to being without one of their most important players.
The fact that Merino not only recovered but scored the winning goal against Portugal makes his story one of the standout narratives of the entire World Cup. It is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football — and how mental strength can be just as important as physical fitness.
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