Mikel Merino paid tribute to his father Angel after scoring the last-gasp winner for Spain in their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany.
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Spain in search of fourth Euros titleMerino scored 119th-minute winnerMidfielder copied father's celebrationWHAT HAPPENED?
The midfielder headed home Dani Olmo's cross to crush German hearts and secure Spain's place in the semis. The Spanish celebrations were wild – understandably so – but Merino took a moment to recreate his father's corner flag stadium, which occurred in the same stadium 33 years ago.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Merino was brought on in the 80th minute to help Spain hold onto a 1-0 lead. As it happens, Florian Wirtz equalised for the hosts and the game went to extra-time. Wirtz's goal gave Real Sociedad's Merino the opportunity to be the hero, though, and he stepped up in the dying moments with a goal that he and his father will never forget.
DID YOU KNOW?
Merino's father Angel was playing for Osasuna when he ran around the corner flag after scoring at the Stuttgart Arena in 1991. For his son to recreate that celebration in such a huge occasion is a very, very cool moment.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR SPAIN?
Spain are through to the semi-finals of the Euros, where they will take on France on Tuesday in what promises to be a great encounter.