- A header from Mikel Merino in the 119th minute ensured that the tournament guests were eliminated
- The midfielder snuck away to perform a bizarre celebration at the corner flag
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Spain midfielder Mikel Merino’s striking celebration after his winning goal against Germany at Euro 2024 was a touching nod to his father, Angel.
Merino headed the ball in the 119th minute to send the home side through in breathtaking fashion, before firing the ball into the corner of the Stuttgart Arena.
There he turned around in a circle, snapped his fingers, and then looked up at the sky.
Shortly after the final whistle, it was revealed that he had taken inspiration for the gesture from his father, who had performed an identical celebration during his active career.
Angel, a former LaLiga player, even did it in the exact same stadium.
Mikel Merino scored Spain’s winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals
The midfielder celebrated the corner flag and circled it, a touching nod to his father
Angel Merino performed the exact same gesture after scoring in the same stadium in 1991
In 1991, Merino Snr. scored to give Osasuna a 2-0 win over Stuttgart in the second leg of the UEFA Cup second round. They won 3-2.
33 years later, his son Antonio Rudiger surpassed this feat by processing a perfect cross from Lamine Yamal and heading the ball past the entrenched goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Merino has a strong bond with the venue, having made his international debut for Spain there four years before his stunning late winner, in a 1-1 draw with Germany.
Speaking after securing his country’s place in the last four, he said: “I’m dead. The adrenaline is taking its toll. It was a unique moment.
“It was a goal in the 119th minute, but there was a collective effort behind it. A draw in the 90th minute is a setback, but we deserved it.
Merino Jnr met Lamine Yamal’s perfectly turned header and headed his ball past Manuel Neuer
The winning goal in the 119th minute (pictured) set up a dramatic semi-final against France
‘It was the match we were all waiting for, between two of the best in the world. It could have been a European Championship or World Cup final.
“We know how to suffer, we have a great team. There is something about this stadium that brings us happiness. My father scored here too. And I made my debut.”
Spain now play France after Les Blues beat Portugal on penalties last night.