As painful as Mikel Merino’s winning goal for Spain was from a German perspective, there is a touching story behind it. It goes back 33 years.
It was the dramatic end of an exhausting and nerve-wracking quarter-final between Germany and Spain. When the spectators and players were already prepared for the penalty shootout, Mikel Merino put the Spaniards back in the lead with his header in the 119th minute. All of Germany’s European Championship dreams were shattered at that moment, and the elimination was sealed.
After celebrating the “Lucky Punch” with his teammates, the goalscorer then ran to the corner flag for another celebration. Merino circled the flag, clenched his fist in victory and then screamed his joy to the sky. What looked like a strange rain dance was an homage to his own father.
European Championship exit against Spain
Füllkrug and Wirtz bring life into the game – in vain. The DFB eleven in individual criticism
33 years ago: Same place, same celebration
Ángel Merino Torres was a professional footballer, just like his son today, and played most of his career for the Spanish club CA Osasuna. On November 6, 1991, the club played a UEFA Cup match against VfB Stuttgart. In the end, the Spaniards won 3-2. The interim 2-0 was scored by a certain Ángel Merino Torres, who celebrated his goal with – you guessed it – a little dance around the corner flag.
Almost 33 years later, on July 5, 2024, son Mikel Merino followed his goal with the same celebration – and in the same stadium as his father did back then. However, Merino Junior’s goal should, no offense intended, carry significantly more weight than his father’s goal in 1991. Because the midfielder, who plays for the Spanish club Real Sociedad San Sebastian, headed his nation into the European Championship semi-finals.
Merino’s winning goal has given Spain hope of a fourth European title. If he hadn’t knocked the German team out of the tournament, you would almost begrudge him the goal. Especially because of the story behind it.
Sources: ,
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
