Mikel Merino — Spanish footballer who scored crucial late goals to help Spain advance through World Cup knockout stages.
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The Namibian
Mikel Merino said he initially thought the photo was AI-generated and not real
“"The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn't even real," Merino said.”
Messi, Yamal come full circle in World Cup showdownThe Namibian
Mikel Merino scored late goal to win 2-1 for Spain over Belgium
“Super sub Mikel Merino broke Belgian hearts and sent Spain through to a World Cup semi-final against France with a late goal in a gripping 2-1 win on Friday.”
Merino strikes late as Spain beat Belgium to set up France World Cup semiInformanté
Mikel Merino scored deep into stoppage time to defeat Portugal 1-0
“Spain advanced after substitute Mikel Merino scored deep into stoppage time to defeat Portugal 1-0, while Belgium produced a dominant display to overcome the United States 4-1.”
FIFA World Cup quarter-finals set as eight teams battle for semi-final placesThe Namibian
Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals
“Substitute Mikel Merino scored a late winner to put Spain in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal and end Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup career on Monday.”
Spain win it late to bid farewell to Ronaldo at World CupLionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final on Sunday, completing a remarkable two-decade arc: in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi posed with five-month-old Yamal for a Unicef calendar photo while both were at Barcelona, and both now appear in what is likely Messi's final World Cup.
17 hours ago · The Namibian →
Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will face each other in the World Cup final on Sunday, completing a remarkable two-decade arc: in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi posed with five-month-old Yamal for a Unicef calendar photo while both were at Barcelona, and both now appear in what is likely Messi's final World Cup.
17 hours ago · The Namibian →
England play Norway in a World Cup quarter-final in Miami on Friday with Kane and Haaland as their leading scorers; the winners will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Mikel Merino scored a late goal to send Spain through to the World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 victory over Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Friday. Spain will face tournament favorites France in Dallas on Tuesday.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals feature Argentina versus Switzerland, France versus Morocco, Spain versus Belgium, and Norway versus England, with matches beginning 9 July at various venues and times.
9 July 2026 · Informanté →
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in a World Cup last-16 match at Seattle's Lumen Field, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku adding a goal. The result ended USA's hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years and set up a quarter-final between Belgium and Spain.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in injury time to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup Round of 16, eliminating Cristiano Ronaldo in his final World Cup match and sending Spain to the quarter-finals.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Spain's World Cup campaign is shadowed by injury concerns, with star winger Lamine Yamal potentially missing the opening two matches against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia due to a hamstring injury, and key players including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri struggling with recent injuries. Coach Luis de la Fuente has nonetheless expressed confidence that Spain can win the tournament.
28 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Despite a 3-2 home loss to Manchester United that reopened questions about mental strength, Arsenal remain four points clear atop the Premier League with 15 games remaining and opportunities in the Champions League, domestic cups, and the title race against inconsistent rivals City and Aston Villa.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Manchester United inflicted Arsenal's first home defeat of the season with a 3-2 victory, while Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0 to close within four points of the Gunners in the Premier League title race.
26 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli scored three goals in a 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth on Sunday, three days after being criticised for throwing a ball at and attempting to push injured Liverpool defender Conor Bradley during a match on Thursday. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli's mentality for bouncing back from the controversial incident.
13 January 2026 · New Era →