Mikel Merino sends Spain into the semi-finals as France wait with Mbappe in form

Mikel Merino has become Spain’s unlikely World Cup hero at exactly the moment they needed one.

The Arsenal midfielder stepped off the bench for the second game in a row and scored the decisive goal as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 to reach the World Cup semi-finals. The European champions are now into the last four for only the second time in their history. The last time they got this far, in 2010, they won the trophy.

The Spain World Cup run has been built on control, discipline and depth. Against Belgium, it was Merino who once again turned that depth into victory. He had already broken Portugal’s hearts with a stoppage-time goal in the last 16. Now he has done it again, this time punishing a Belgium mistake to send Spain through.

Few players want to be labelled a super sub. Most would rather start. But Merino has turned that role into something powerful. He arrives late, reads the moment and changes the match.

That makes the Spain World Cup run even more remarkable for him personally. A few months ago, Merino feared he might not even make the tournament. In January, he suffered a rare stress fracture in his foot, an injury unusual enough to worry specialists and serious enough to keep him out for Arsenal.

He only returned to action a month before the World Cup began. Now he is one of the reasons Spain are still alive.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente praised Merino after the quarter-final, calling him incredible and saying he represented the model and spirit of the team. For De la Fuente, Merino’s value lies not only in goals, but in his intelligence, commitment and ability to understand what a match needs.

The Spain World Cup run has also shown how useful Merino’s versatility can be. Traditionally a midfielder, he has also been used further forward by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. His height, timing and movement make him dangerous in the box, even when he starts from the bench.

Former England striker Wayne Rooney said Merino has a habit of arriving at the right moment in big games. That has now become a theme of Spain’s tournament.

But while Merino is delivering decisive moments, attention is also turning to Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona teenager dazzled at Euro 2024, but he has not yet dominated this World Cup in the same way. He has one goal and no assists from six matches.

That does not mean he has been ineffective. His pace, dribbling and ability to attract defenders continue to create space for teammates. Rooney defended him, saying even Lionel Messi makes wrong decisions at times and noting that Yamal came into the tournament after injury.

Still, the Spain World Cup run may need another level from him soon. France are next, and that means a direct spotlight on Yamal and Kylian Mbappe. The French forward has been one of the tournament’s standout names, while Spain’s teenage star still seems to be waiting for his defining moment.

Spain’s defence has been excellent. Belgium’s goal was the first they had conceded at the tournament. But France will test that backline more severely than anyone so far.

Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta said Spain’s control gives him confidence, even if the attacking players have not yet found full rhythm. He believes Yamal remains highly influential and still has more to give.

That is the challenge now. Merino has kept the dream alive. The Spain World Cup run has reached its biggest test yet. If Yamal finally explodes against France, Spain may have more than one hero to carry them towards the final.