Merino the unlikely hero again - as Spain wait for Lamine Yamal show

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Merino the unlikely hero again - as Spain wait for Lamine Yamal showImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mikel Merino has been capped 49 times by SpainByGary RoseBBC Sport journalist in Los AngelesPublished5 hours agoFor almost any side looking to be successful they need match winners throughout the team - and Spain are proving they have them as Mikel Merino delivered in his role as super sub once again to send the European champions into the World Cup semi-finals. The Arsenal midfielder stepped off the bench for the second successive game to score the decisive goal - this time securing a 2-1 victory against Belgium. The win means Spain are into last four of the tournament for only the second time.

The last time they made it there - in 2010 - they went on to lift the trophy. Merino's latest heroics have set up a meeting with France for a place in the final and also a mouthwatering showdown between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal, who - by contrast to the Frenchman - is yet to make his mark at this World Cup. Merino overcomes setbacks to become Spain's super sub Few footballers relish developing a reputation as a super sub - someone who can come off the bench and make an impact - because they would rather be starting games on the pitch.

The Details

But just being a part of Spain's World Cup squad was something Merino could not envisage just a few months ago. In January, he suffered an unusual injury to his foot - a stress fracture in an area even specialists had not seen before. It not only ruled Merino out of action for Arsenal but also left his World Cup hopes in huge doubt as he was unable to return to action for the Gunners until just a month before the tournament got under way.

Not only did Merino return and earn his place in the Spain squad but he is proving an invaluable player in their run to the last four. He scored in stoppage time to send Portugal out in the last 16 and repeated those heroics against Belgium. Figure caption, Merino pounces on Lammens' mistake to score late winner for Spain"Mikel is incredible," Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said after the quarter-final win.

"He has many qualities. He is a player that across the whole World Cup could have played in whatever team and done great. "For us he is the standard of this idea, of this model.

What Experts Say

It is a pleasure to have him, and others but especially him. We know that without fail he is always there. "Always there he may be, but Merino himself feared he would not be fit enough to play at this World Cup.

"The fact of being here a few months ago was unthinkable," Merino said after the Portugal win. "Now I am, as I said before, at the highest point, enjoying one of the happiest moments of my career. "Now I remember all those bad moments, all the people who have supported me, all the people who have pushed me when even I sometimes found it difficult to believe I could be here.

"Merino's heroics will be a familiar sight for Arsenal fans, with the 30-year-old having done similar at the Gunners.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.