Spain's substitute midfielder Mikel Merino has become the unlikely hero of their World Cup campaign, scoring late winners in successive knockout rounds to send his side into the semi-finals. His decisive goals against Portugal and then Belgium delivered Spain's first World Cup knockout victories since they won the tournament in 2010, breaking a barrier that had repeatedly halted them in the past.

Merino has now scored three goals for Spain at major tournaments — one at Euro 2024 and two at this World Cup — all as a substitute, all match-winners, arriving in the 119th, 90+1 and 88th minutes. Against Belgium, Spain dominated with 68% possession and three times as many shots but were level at 1-1 until Merino, on the pitch for less than two minutes, struck the winner. He celebrated each goal by circling the corner flag in tribute to his father, Ángel, who scored a winner for Osasuna at Stuttgart 35 years ago; Ángel watched in Dallas wearing novelty socks bearing an image of his son's Euro 2024 header. Spain, who had not previously reached a World Cup semi-final since their 2010 triumph, now face France.