Mikel Merino: How Spanish media reacted to Arsenal star outperforming Lamine Yamal

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino once again outshone Spain's bigger names including Lamine Yamal on Friday as they beat Belgium 2-1 to progress to the World Cup semi-final.

The 30-year-old capitalised on Senne Lammens' mistake to score the winner and set up a meeting with France next week, after goals from Fabian Ruiz and Charles De Ketelaere had the sides level going into the final minutes.

The European champions from two years ago are hoping to repeat what they did in 2010, by following their Euros win by lifting the World Cup.

Merino is yet to feature in the starting line-up at this World Cup, having developed a knack for scoring crucial goals off the bench for Spain.

The Arsenal man scored the winner against Portugal in the round of 16, and in total, has scored 12 goals in 49 caps for his nation.

Many of those have come in the last 18 months, with Merino undergoing an unlikely transformation into a frequent goal-scorer after filling in up front for the Gunners.

How the Spanish media reacted to Mikel Merino goal

Merino's goal was not one that Lammens will want to see back again in a hurry.

The Manchester United goalkeeper had got down low to smother Pau Cubarsi's shot but spilled it, allowing Merino to steal in and smash home.

The midfielder was on the pitch for just 11 minutes including additional time, with his impact defining.

The 30-year-old even created a chance, won a free-kick and two duels, and made a clearance in that time, too.

Writing for AS, Hector Martinez wrote that Merino was "one again the saviour", and "worked his magic again".

For Sport, Sergi Perez Estevez wrote: "Germany, Portugal, and Belgium now form part of the unique trilogy of a footballer who seems destined to change history when the clock ticks down in the most decisive moments ."

GOAL gave Merino a seven out of 10 for his impact, and described him as a "luxury substitute".

How did Merino get here?

Merino arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2024 and was initially a substitute who started every now and then.

He had been a box-to-box midfielder throughout his career and continued in that role for the Gunners, despite already having shown that he knew where the goal was.

At the start of 2025, injury struck Arsenal massively in attack, and Mikel Arteta turned to a rogue option by deploying Merino as his striker.

Inexplicably, it worked. The Spain international has since featured there on several occasions, scoring goals against Chelsea, PSV, Real Madrid and several others.

In just 18 months, Merino has gone from a box-to-box midfielder to one of the most reliable scorers of key goals in Europe.