‘Mel Merino is Spain’s destructive weapon’

Henry Winter’s World Cup Diary, Day 30

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Kansas City/Atlanta
The Spaniards played a game in their camp where one of Luis de la Fuente’s 26 was shown to three clubs and had to name the player who went between them. Knowledge and speed test. Mikel Merino calmly but quickly hit the nail on the head. Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid flashed and Mikel Merino quickly replied “Mbappe”. Barcelona, ​​​​PSG and Inter Miami brought “Messi” fast. Leicester, Spurs and Bayern brought “Harry Kane”. Merino didn’t even break stride with Rennes and PSG – “Doue”.

Seeing the video of Merino smiling and enjoying life, playing again, and playing Spain and the late winners was one of the positive stories of the World Cup.

Not many players are as famous at Arsenal as Merino. Fans love his contribution. They love his willingness to play for the team anywhere (he started as a goalkeeper at a young age) and he especially contributed in attack when he was used as an emergency striker for Arsenal in 2024-25. The arrival of Viktor Gyokeres reduced Merino’s need in attack, the pitch was packed with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, and Merino broke his foot in January. There was also concern about his future.

So look at Merino now, finishing the season on the pitch with Arsenal as a title winner, and helping Spain reach the last four of their first World Cup under 30. He may not start against France but he will certainly feature at some point; Merino is a devastating weapon to use from the bench. He studies the game so he knows how and where to make an immediate impact.

But what is his best position? Spain coach Luis de la Fuente first met Merino when he coached the prestigious Under 19s in Europe in 2015 (Unai Simon and Rodri were also on the team). Yesterday he described Merino as “a beautiful, amazing, special player…world class among the best in the world in his position”. But what position? He can play 6, 8 and 9.

Merino is also fun. He sometimes celebrates goals by running near the corner flag as his father, Angel Merino, did when he beat Osasuna in the UEFA Cup in Stuttgart in 1991. Merino made his debut on the same field at the Euros. His run towards the corners here was interrupted by his teammates and the younger players who all jumped on him. It’s apparently popular.

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There is a theme with England going to every game. Azteca? Height. Miami? Haaland. Atlanta? Messi. Definitely. The fear is that they will focus and concentrate so much on Argentina’s No.10 that they will not pay much attention to the other ten. Enzo Fernandez, a re-invigorated Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Lautaro Martinez are all threats. Jordan Pickford knows. “We all know how good Messi is, but we also know how good Argentina is, they are a hard-working team. We have to focus on other strengths. Everyone will talk about Messi because he is one of the GOAT of the game. But we can’t just talk about Messi. They are a good team, who are champions.” Messi carries the burden but the supporting cast is able to play starring roles at times.

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The debate about how to take the USMNT to the next level continues. I spoke with a 67-year-old man from Missouri, and he said he got into soccer when his daughters, now in their 30s, were playing. He coached one in softball and the school asked him to help out in soccer. This was 20+ years ago but he said all he had to do was a two hour lesson to learn some unusual exercises and then let the girls get on with it. Everything got better with more professional training and the switch to three-v-three. That helped produce a dominant generation of women’s soccer that dominated the world. Men seem to be far from that. It’s about player development, finding hungry players who maybe can’t afford training and club membership.

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There are many ways that England can get Argentina. Nahuel Molina, the 28-year-old Atletico Madrid right-back, and Nicolas Tagliafico, the 33-year-old Lyon full-back, must be guided by Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. Take off the pace. Thomas Tuchel’s penchant for short-short control and then Elliot Anderson’s switch, usually on the right, can produce benefits. But any such move must be reversed quickly before Argentina can restructure.

Check out Henry Winter’s entire World Cup Diary here