Press statements from the team’s star Mikel Merino, after scoring the winning goal at Euro 2024: We deserve this victory and this classification, my father…”

In a thrilling Euro 2024 quarter-final clash, Mikel Merino emerged as the hero for Spain, securing a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany with a 119th-minute goal. The match, held in a historic stadium that held personal meaning for Merino and his family, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams in what many described as a clash of titans.

After the intense encounter, Merino spoke to the press, his emotions running high and the adrenaline still coursing through him. “I’m exhausted, the adrenaline is affecting me,” he admitted, reflecting the physical and emotional toll the match took. Despite the emotional rollercoaster, Merino was quick to give credit to his teammates: “The matter came down to a goal in the 119th minute, but there was a lot of teamwork behind it.”

The match had swung back and forth, with Spain initially taking the lead only to see Germany equalise in the 90th minute, moments before the match looked destined for extra time. “The equaliser in the 90th minute was a hard blow, but it’s a reward for perseverance,” Merino acknowledged, highlighting the team’s resilience and determination to get the win.

Speaking about the quality of the match, Merino highlighted the intensity and prestige of such important encounters: “It was a match between two of the best teams. It could be… either the final of the European Championship or the World Cup, they are elite matches and we have shown that we know how to suffer.” His words underlined the magnitude of the victory and the level of competition in the tournament.

For Merino, the victory had a personal meaning beyond the footballing achievement. “My father also scored here, in this stadium, of course. There is something about it that makes us lucky. It is a special stadium for us,” he revealed, sharing a touching connection with the place where he secured Spain’s qualification to the semi-finals.

As Spain progresses through Euro 2024, Merino’s heroic performance and his poignant reflections on teamwork, perseverance and personal connections to the game and its venues resonate deeply. The journey of the Spanish national team continues, fuelled by moments of brilliance and a steely determination to claim European glory once again.