Mikel Merino Stats: Spain’s Super-Sub Match-Winner

Some players are picked to start; Mikel Merino is picked to finish. The Mikel Merino stats that matter at the World Cup 2026 are written in the 88th and 91st minutes: the Arsenal midfielder has come off the bench to win Spain two knockout ties in a row, and he could yet decide a third. Here is the story of La Roja’s ultimate super-sub. For the bigger picture, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

Mikel Merino stats at a glance

Who is Mikel Merino?

Merino is a versatile, left-footed midfielder who came through at Osasuna and had early spells at Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United before making his name at Real Sociedad, where he racked up 242 appearances, scored 27 goals and won the 2019-20 Copa del Rey. He joined Arsenal in August 2024 and won the Premier League with them in 2025/26. Naturally a box-to-box number eight, he is comfortable anchoring midfield or pushing forward, and both Arsenal and Spain have used him as a makeshift striker — a knack for arriving in the box that is central to his World Cup story.

With Spain he is a serial winner: a Euro 2024 champion and 2023 Nations League winner, with 42 caps and 10 goals to his name.

Mikel Merino at the World Cup 2026

Merino has largely been a substitute for Spain at the World Cup 2026 — but few players have made a bigger impact. Here is how his tournament has unfolded.

• Spain 0-0 Cape Verde (group stage, June 15): Off the bench for 19 minutes on the opening day.
• Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia (group stage, June 21): A 29-minute cameo, with one effort on goal, in a comfortable win.
• Uruguay 0-1 Spain (group stage, June 27): His one start of the tournament, playing 60 minutes in a narrow away win.
• Spain 3-0 Austria (Round of 32, July 2): A 19-minute run-out as Spain cruised into the last 16.
• Portugal 0-1 Spain (Round of 16, July 6): Sent on late and won it — a 91st-minute strike to knock Portugal out and send Spain to the quarter-finals.
• Spain 2-1 Belgium (quarter-final, July 10): Off the bench again to grab the 88th-minute winner and fire Spain into the semi-finals.

Two substitute appearances, two decisive goals: Merino has become Spain’s ultimate impact substitute at the World Cup 2026, under Luis de la Fuente, alongside Lamine Yamal and Pedri. See where Spain sit in our who will win the World Cup 2026 guide and how the knockouts look in our World Cup 2026 bracket.

Spain’s super-sub

Others grab the headlines before kick-off; Merino grabs them at the death. If Spain need a goal late in the semi-final, do not be surprised to see him climbing off the bench.

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