Mikel Merino is 'tailor-made' for Spain's playing style as Luis de la Fuente hails vital impact in World Cup win against Belgium

Spain booked a World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 win over Belgium, and coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted Mikel Merino’s impact as a key factor. While Merino is not a regular starter, De la Fuente said he repeatedly proves his value as a versatile option that can change the course of games when called upon. In his post-match comments, De la Fuente praised Merino’s fit for Spain’s system, arguing that the midfielder can be relied on in different situations despite the limits of tournament line-ups. He also defended the selection dilemma, noting that only 11 players can be on the pitch at once. De la Fuente added that Merino has played across multiple roles, including defensive midfielder, number 6, number 8, number 10 and even as a centre forward, performing well at a top level. Spain’s semi-final opponent is France, setting up a high-profile matchup.