Mikel Merino is not a striker, but that has not stopped him from making a decisive impact.
His last-gasp equaliser against the Netherlands kept Spain’s Nations League defence alive, and he could be just as crucial in the second leg. With La Roja struggling for fluency in Rotterdam, Merino came off the bench to pounce on a spilled shot and salvage a draw.
Spain had started brightly, with Nico Williams opening the scoring, but the Netherlands fought back. Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders turned the game on its head before Jorrel Hato’s red card shifted the momentum again. Spain pressed, and Merino delivered.
It was not the first time the Arsenal midfielder had made an impact in front of goal. His late runs into the box add an extra dimension to Spain’s attack, something they will need against a resilient Dutch side.
Luis de la Fuente’s team are unbeaten in competitive matches for almost two years, but they lacked control for long spells on Thursday. The absence of a natural goalscorer remains an issue, and Merino’s ability to contribute from midfield has become increasingly valuable.
The Netherlands will not be easy to break down. Ronald Koeman’s men have lost just one of their last seven matches and have shown they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s best. Their recent Nations League record is mixed, but they have the quality to cause problems.
Spain will take confidence from their home form, yet the Dutch have troubled them in recent meetings. The last two encounters have ended in draws, and the 2010 World Cup winners have not beaten Oranje in 90 minutes since that final in Johannesburg.
Merino is unlikely to start in Valencia, but if Spain find themselves in need of a goal again, there is every chance he will be the man to provide it.
