Substitute Merino hits late winner as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

July 7, 2026 6:24 AM

Substitute Merino hits late winner as Spain end Ronaldo’s World Cup career

Spain substitute Mikel Merino broke through a stubborn Portugal defence in the 91st minute to earn his side a 1-0 win on Monday to take the former champions into the quarter-finals and bring the curtain down on Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career. The midfielder scored six minutes after coming off the bench in the Iberian Derby at Dallas Stadium to move the European champions into the last eight, prevailing where his teammates had been frustrated by a determined Portuguese backline. “Mike...

Soccer: Saka seals comeback with goal as Arsenal beat Fulham

April 2, 2025 11:02 AM

Soccer: Saka seals comeback with goal as Arsenal beat Fulham

Arsenal beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday thanks to another goal from stand-in striker Mikel Merino while Bukayo Saka struck a few minutes into his return from nearly four months out with injury. Arsenal went ahead eight minutes before halftime when a cute ball from Jurrien Timber put Ethan Nwaneri round the back of the Fulham defence. He found Merino whose shot deflected beyond the reach of goalkeeper Bernd Leno into the corner. The second half was a blizzard of chances for bot...