Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has praised Mikel Merino following his outstanding performance in Spain’s dramatic 2–1 comeback victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Merino was the hero for Spain after coming off the bench at half-time and scoring twice to turn the match around. His goals helped the world champions recover from Ivan Perisic’s first-half opener and secure another important victory, extending their unbeaten run to 42 matches and confirming their place in the Nations League quarter-finals.
De la Fuente was particularly impressed with the Arsenal midfielder’s contribution and used his post-match press conference to underline how highly he values the experienced midfielder.
“It is an honour and a privilege to coach a footballer of his talent,” De la Fuente said when discussing Merino after the game. The Spain manager also suggested that Merino does not receive the recognition his ability deserves, insisting that the midfielder would probably be valued even more highly in other countries.
Merino Changes the Game
Spain travelled to Croatia expecting a difficult encounter, and the match proved to be exactly that.
Croatia started with tremendous intensity and took the lead through Perisic in the first half. Spain struggled to impose its usual possession-based style, while the home side created a number of dangerous situations.
De la Fuente responded at half-time by introducing Merino, and the change immediately gave Spain greater physicality, attacking movement and presence around the Croatian penalty area.
Merino eventually found the equaliser in the 61st minute after Dani Olmo provided the opportunity. The Arsenal midfielder kept his composure and produced a low finish to bring Spain level.
His contribution did not end there.
With Spain pushing for a winner, Merino once again found himself in the right position at the right time. In the closing stages, he produced an excellent finish to complete his brace and give Spain a 2–1 victory.
The second goal arrived around the 88th minute and completed one of the most impressive individual performances of the night.
De la Fuente’s Huge Praise
For De la Fuente, Merino’s performance was another reminder of why he continues to trust the midfielder in important matches.
The Spain manager has repeatedly shown confidence in Merino, particularly because of his ability to influence games even when he does not start.
Following the Croatia victory, De la Fuente made it clear that Merino’s importance extends beyond simply scoring goals.
The manager praised his talent, mentality, attitude and commitment, describing him as one of the players capable of performing at the highest level in world football.
That assessment was justified by what happened in Split.
Merino entered the game with Spain behind and facing the possibility of suffering one of its most difficult results in recent international football. Instead, he helped completely change the direction of the match.
His first goal restored belief, while his second eventually delivered all three points.
A Specialist in Big Moments
Merino’s latest performance also reinforces his reputation as a player who can make a difference when Spain needs him most.
The midfielder has previously scored important goals for the national team during major tournaments. His ability to arrive late into the penalty area, use his physical strength and remain composed in front of goal has made him a valuable weapon for De la Fuente.
Against Croatia, those qualities were once again on full display.
Rather than allowing Spain’s difficult first half to affect him, Merino immediately looked to make an impact after entering the match. His movement gave Croatia another problem to deal with, while his presence in advanced positions created additional opportunities for Spain.
His performance was especially important because Croatia had successfully restricted Spain’s attacking players during the opening period.
Merino’s Versatility
One of Merino’s biggest strengths is his versatility.
Although naturally a midfielder, he has demonstrated that he can operate in more advanced positions when required. His ability to contribute goals makes him particularly useful to a Spain team that often dominates possession but sometimes needs an additional player capable of attacking the penalty area.
His two goals against Croatia demonstrated exactly that quality.
The first came from a well-timed attacking movement and composed finish, while the second showcased his ability to create a decisive moment late in the game.
For a manager like De la Fuente, having a player capable of changing the outcome of a match from the bench is an enormous advantage.
Spain Continue Their Remarkable Run
Merino’s performance also contributed to another historic night for Spain.
The victory over Croatia extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 42 matches, while the result secured qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals with two group matches still remaining.
That statistic highlights just how consistent De la Fuente’s team has become.
However, the victory was far from straightforward.
Croatia put Spain under significant pressure, particularly during the first half, and took the lead through Perisic. Spain had to demonstrate character and patience before eventually taking control of the contest.
De la Fuente praised his players for refusing to give up and continuing to search for a way back into the match.
Merino’s introduction proved decisive.
Arsenal Will Also Be Delighted
Merino’s performance will also be welcomed by Arsenal supporters.
The midfielder has established himself as an important member of the club’s squad, and his ability to perform for Spain demonstrates the experience and quality he can bring at club level.
Scoring twice against Croatia will give Merino additional confidence when he returns to Arsenal duty.
His performance also shows that he remains capable of making a significant impact in high-pressure matches.
For Arsenal, having a midfielder who can contribute goals, physicality and intelligent movement can be extremely valuable during a long season.
Merino Wants to Keep Improving
Despite becoming the hero of the night, Merino has maintained a team-first mentality.
Following the match, he emphasized the importance of the collective rather than taking all the credit for himself. He described his goals as the result of the team’s work and highlighted the unity within the Spain squad.
That mentality appears to be one of the reasons De la Fuente trusts him so much.
The Spain manager knows that international football requires players who are prepared to make sacrifices for the team. Merino has repeatedly demonstrated that quality.
Whether starting or coming from the bench, he remains prepared to contribute.
A Player De la Fuente Trusts
The Croatia match may ultimately be remembered as another example of why De la Fuente has such faith in Merino.
The midfielder was introduced when Spain needed a spark, and he responded with two goals.
His performance was not simply about scoring. He provided energy, intelligence, physical presence and attacking movement at a moment when Spain needed all of those qualities.
De la Fuente’s praise therefore came as little surprise.
The manager has made it clear that he considers Merino one of the outstanding talents in his squad and believes the midfielder deserves greater recognition for what he brings to the national team.
For Merino, the Croatia match was another opportunity to demonstrate his value.
For Spain, it was another victory that strengthened their position among Europe’s leading international teams.
And for De la Fuente, it was another reminder that when Spain needs a decisive player, Mikel Merino can be trusted.
After scoring twice to complete the comeback against Croatia, Merino has once again shown why he remains such an important part of Spain’s plans. His ability to produce in difficult moments could prove crucial as the Nations League knockout stages approach.
