Mikel Merino recalls the joke behind his second goal

“There’s been a bit of joking, because a teammate always tells me I only score with a first-time finish,” Mikel Merino said. The remark took on a particular meaning after his second goal against Croatia: this time, he scored after controlling the ball.

Introduced after the break, the Arsenal player scored both goals in the comeback. He later explained that his teammate had been teasing him about it. Speaking about his recent finishing, he said he was pleased that his efforts had been finding the target and that this one had helped turn the match around.

Merino also acknowledged how difficult it is to influence a game by coming on as a substitute: “It’s very difficult to come into a match and make an impact with goals. I’ve been fortunate that chances have fallen my way; I’m where I need to be and I believe I can contribute to the team.” For him, desire, ambition and work in training matter when an opportunity comes.

He would not, however, choose to be a substitute every time, even if scoring from the bench to help the team win brings a “unique” feeling. On his second goal, he also described a tactical adjustment that moved him into the number 8 position. Seeing Zubi prepare a pass over the defence, he attacked the space, controlled the ball and finished. “For once, I scored one after more than one touch,” he joked.