Arsenal star comes off the bench to score twice for Spain

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Mikel Merino needed just 43 minutes on the pitch to turn Spain's night around in Split, scoring twice off the bench as Luis de la Fuente's side came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League.

The Arsenal midfielder was not in the starting XI at Stadion Poljud. De la Fuente went with Rodri and Pedri at the base of a 4-2-3-1, with Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Álex Baena behind Mikel Oyarzabal. Merino was introduced at the break in place of Baena, with Spain trailing to Ivan Perisic's 17th-minute header.

Two goals, one substitution

Croatia had been the better side in the opening half an hour, with Perisic turning in a rebound after Unai Simón could only parry Igor Matanovic's effort. Spain gradually took control of possession but struggled to break down Slaven Bilic's back line before the interval.

Merino changed that. On 61 minutes, Spain kept pressing until Croatia failed to clear their box, and the Arsenal man was on hand to level the scoring. He then completed the turnaround in the 88th minute, collecting a pass from Martín Zubimendi and finishing precisely into the top right corner.

Croatia's night unravelled further on 79 minutes when Perisic, who had already been booked in the first half, was sent off for a second yellow following a foul on Marc Cucurella. Luka Modric had been withdrawn just after the hour mark having also picked up a caution.

Familiar territory for Merino

Scoring from midfield is nothing new for the 30-year-old, who has repeatedly been asked to contribute in the final third for both club and country. Mikel Arteta has at various points deployed him as an emergency centre-forward at Arsenal, and his aerial presence and late runs into the box have become a recognisable part of his game.

For de la Fuente, the double strike vindicated a substitution that reshaped the match entirely. Spain had looked short of ideas before the change, with the live coverage from VAVEL noting that Yamal had been "virtually invisible" in the first half against a disciplined Croatian defence. The teenager was eventually replaced by Víctor Muñoz on 78 minutes.

Merino was not the only Arsenal representative in the Spain squad on the night. David Raya was named among the substitutes but remained an unused option, with Unai Simón keeping his place between the posts and making several important saves, including one from Perisic after Zubimendi's error inside the box.

Spain's win on Matchday 4 of Group A3 keeps their qualification push on track, and Merino will return to north London having added two more international goals to his name ahead of Arsenal's resumption of club football after the break.