“I look behind me and I see Mikel Merino and I think: ‘I’m calm as can be,’” reflected Luis de la Fuente after the tense moments had settled. While the tension mounted, the Spain coach maintained a remarkable composure, which mirrored the midfielder’s performance.
Prior to Spain’s quarter-final clash against Belgium, De la Fuente shared a nostalgic laugh as he recounted his childhood memories, where only three events could gather his family around the television: the national football team, Eurovision, and the delightfully absurd game show Un, dos, tres, whose UK counterpart was 3-2-1.
Having witnessed Spain struggle at this stage in the past—facing elimination in 1986, 1994, and 2002—De la Fuente found himself in a lighter mood, laughing instead of stressing about the looming quarter-final challenge.
When the match commenced, Spain held 68% possession and created three times as many shots as Belgium. However, with time running out and the score tied at 1-1, anxiety crept back in as the team faced a couple of near misses that could have turned the tide against them.
Yet, Spain pressed forward in search of a decisive goal, exhibiting a calm determination rather than frantic desperation. This clarity stemmed not just from the players but from the touchline as well.
Merino’s presence on the field certainly contributed to that calm. He has now netted three goals for Spain in major tournaments—one at Euro 2024 and two during this World Cup—all coming as a substitute and each serving as a match-winner. His goals came dramatically in the 119th, 90+1, and 88th minutes, showcasing his knack for clutch performances.
Celebrating each of these goals in a similar fashion, Merino honored his father by circling the corner flag, a tribute reminiscent of his father’s own winner for Osasuna in Stuttgart 35 years prior. At Euro 2024, he headed the decisive goal against Germany in the same stadium where his father had scored, propelling Spain into the semi-finals. Just days apart in Dallas and Los Angeles, he repeated this feat, with his father, Ángel, present in Dallas, sporting novelty socks featuring an image of Merino’s header from Stuttgart. Unfortunately, his two-month-old son, Marco, could not be there, prompting Merino to shine yet again.
Having spent just under two minutes on the pitch, Merino played a total of nine minutes across both knockout matches against Portugal and Belgium, yet that was sufficient to secure Spain’s place in the semi-finals. This marks only the second time Spain has broken through this barrier; their previous semi-final appearance was in 2010, the year they became champions. While this milestone might feel routine, it represents a significant achievement.
“I don’t know how I’ll explain it to [my son]: luckily there’s YouTube and internet and I’ll be able to show it to him because it will be hard to do with words,” Merino expressed. “Since they weren’t there in the round of 16 I had to repeat it so they could live it in person. I’m very happy they are here because they are my strength and I am sure that part of the luck I have had in the ball falling to me is because of the good energy they have given me.”
However, it’s more than mere luck. De la Fuente was adamant about waiting for Merino to recover from an injury, despite him playing less than 30 minutes since February. “Mikel is super complete, very versatile. He’s played as a 6, an 8, a 10 and a 9, and he does all of those things so well,” De la Fuente noted. “He can be the best striker, the best second striker, the best midfielder. Why? Because he has exceptional understanding, a feeling for what the team needs and a calmness. He has commitment, solidarity.
“He can be the best striker, the best second striker, the best midfielder. Why? Because he has exceptional understanding, a feeling for what the team needs and a calmness. He has commitment, solidarity. “The story won’t always end this way. But you do know you’re closer to it because the players know what they have to do, and they’re very good.”
While the outcomes are not guaranteed, De la Fuente’s strategic decisions have often proven successful. Substituting Pedro for Fabián Ruiz was a significant call, resulting in the PSG midfielder scoring the opening goal just half an hour into the match. When he opted to replace Dani Olmo—who had been Spain’s standout player against Portugal—many questioned the decision. Yet, Merino’s subsequent winner vindicated the choice.
De la Fuente acknowledged that hindsight makes decisions easier, but emphasized that his choices are made with careful consideration. “We’re not afraid of France,”
He also referenced a passage from Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations, contrasting it with the levity of Un, Dos, Tres. Throughout the tournament, he maintained a sense of faith and confidence, expressing ease as though he were destined for success.
What has been frustrating for him is the lack of faith from external observers. He questioned the source of the negativity he perceived during the early part of the tournament, especially when he and the players remained confident. “It’s legitimate to think we can beat France; they’ll be as worried as we are.” Lamine Yamal stated, to which De la Fuente added: “I look at our players and feel calm,” Based on their performance thus far, it seems they have little reason for concern.
“They appreciate that calm, too. If they saw me out of it, beside myself, histrionic, saying wild things, this team wouldn’t respond well to that. This is a team that has heart, the stimuli it responds to are understanding, affection and commitment. That’s what moves us.” De la Fuente concluded. “They appreciate that calm, too. If they saw me out of it, beside myself, histrionic, saying wild things, this team wouldn’t respond well to that. This is a team that has heart; the stimuli it responds to are understanding, affection, and commitment. That’s what moves us.”
And if that fails, there’s always Mikel Merino. What could possibly go astray?
