CALIFORNIA: Mikel Merino is relishing Spain’s opportunity to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup, although first up is a quarterfinal matchup against Belgium in Inglewood, California, on Friday. Merino played a major role as Spain stayed alive with his stoppage-time goal in a 1-0 win against Portugal in the round of 16 on Monday. And yet the clutch goal is but one reason the midfielder is appreciative of the moment at hand. Merino nearly missed his World Cup opportunity after a stress fracture and subsequent surgery in late January put his roster spot in doubt.

Mikel Merino firma el gol de la selección española para acabar con los lusos y seguir avanzando en el Mundial

Mikel Merino scored an injury-time winner as European champions Spain beat Iberian rivals Portugal in a tense last-16 encounter to book a place in the quarter-finals and end…