He made Germany cry in the 119th minute during the summer of 2024, Portugal a few days ago in the 91st, and then against Belgium he showed why they call him San Mikel (Saint Mikel) in Spain.
The European champion continues his quest for the world crown, he may not have shone in the quarterfinals in Los Angeles, but Luis de la Fuente's team always finds a way - and Mikel Merino is always there, mostly.
Now she found it in the 88th minute against a combative, injury-wracked and heartbroken Belgium - Merino scored for a 2-1 triumph after a disastrous mistake by Sene Lamens, just 120 seconds after entering the game.
Rudi Garcia's team deserved at least extra time, but were devastated by injuries and could not hold on - Amadou Onana was injured in the last match, Youri Tielemans in the warm-up before this match, and then Thibaut Courtois and Kevin de Bruyne during the match.
All of this means that Dallas will enjoy a European superclassic - the semi-final brings a clash between Spain and France.
A lullaby during the opening twenty minutes, then Spain's dominance and lead, and then Belgium's character practically out of nowhere - that was the first half under the Los Angeles sun, breaking through the glass roof.
"La Roha" had the ball from the start, but created a real chance after half an hour.
It was actually a great move that started with Lamino Jamal and Pedro Por, and after Dani Olmo's shot was stopped by Courtois, Fabian Ruiz ran onto the ball. The guy who De la Fuente left on the bench for, Pedri, never disappoints (1:1).
They looked "devils" and harmless after that, and the absence of Onana and Tielemans was clearly felt. However, in the 41st minute they showed that they have great character at this World Cup - a nice action crowned by Timothy Kastagne and Charles de Quetelare. The first with an assist, the second with another goal header.
After 649 minutes, Unaj Simon capitulated, for the first time in this World Cup.
A total offensive by Spain was expected in the following match, and the "fury" tried, but the organized Belgium read everything brilliantly. If something was going to happen, there was the brilliant Courtois. On the other hand, Doku and his friends were very dangerous on the counterattack.
And then Courtois left the "SoFi" stadium in tears in the 70th minute. Belgium had a good substitute in Lamens, but the Manchester United goalkeeper will remember his World Cup debut as a nightmare.
Pau Cubarsi shot, Lamens catastrophically deflected a not-so-dangerous ball in front of him, all of those are magnets for Merino. Another goal, another celebration for Spain...
It's time for the final before the final - Spain or France?
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