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As Argentina proved in 2022, to win a major tournament you do not need to be at your best from minute one of the first game.
Momentum is often key, as belief and improving performances go hand-in-hand, just as they did for Spain at Euro 2024. That was a squad that grew in confidence as the tournament went on, leading them out of the group stage and into the final against England.
For Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, though, as belief grew, so did the pressure.
Merino on Spain’s ability to thrive under pressure
Merino came off the bench again in the final, helping play his part as Gareth Southgate’s side were seen off and Spain crowned European champions. But even he admits it wasn’t a vintage display.
“To be honest, that was probably the game where the pressure got to us,” he reflects to FourFourTwo. “During the rest of the tournament, we were just enjoying every minute of the camp – we built this amazing momentum.
“The final was when things changed and we began to think, ‘OK this is a massive fixture and the pressure is big.’ It was do or die.”
Before Merino’s late introduction, a nervy encounter unfolded, with Nico Williams’ opener cancelled out in the second half. “We played well and took control of the match, but we didn’t create the chances to kill them off,” he says.
“Then the moment came where Cole Palmer scored his equaliser – that was tough to swallow.
“Towards the end of the game, we were really feeling the stress. We were looking around at one another, asking ‘Are they coming back at us now? What if we lose?’ But football is about how you handle those moments – the small details.
“Our winning goal was maybe just one centimetre from being offside, but Mikel Oyarzabal got his touch at the right moment and we won.”
While Merino admits to not being much of a party lover, he recalls the celebrations fondly. “I remember going home, doing the bus parade with all the fans,” he smiles.
“It was unreal, magical, seeing Madrid full of people wearing Spain shirts and cheering for us. Such positive and unifying vibes. Everyone was just enjoying the achievement – laughing, dancing.
“It was great to see the whole country united.”
