Mikel Merino: Arsenal midfielder proving Spain's World Cup hero after overcoming injury that left him in mobility scooter
Mikel Merino might have hoped to appear earlier than the 85th minute against Belgium following his match-winning impact from the bench against Portugal. Instead, he had to wait until the 86th. No matter. Another late cameo, another decisive goal.
He is the first player in the history of the World Cup to score winning goals in separate knockout ties as a substitute but that doesn't really cover it. Merino was only given nine minutes plus stoppage time across the two games. It was all he needed.
World Cup 2026: England's Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James train ahead of quarter-final with Norway
Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James gave England a triple injury boost ahead of their World Cup quarter-final with Norway.
Rice had been struggling with illness after Monday's last-16 win in Mexico and had been kept away from team-mates, while Guehi missed England's training session in Kansas City on Thursday with concerns emerging about a hamstring issue.
However, both players took part in training in Miami on Friday, ahead of Saturday's showdown with Norway in the city.
McGregor vs Holloway 2: UFC 329 - Max Holloway completes welterweight transformation
Max Holloway, who has won 27 of his 36 fights, pictured from left to right at featherweight, lightweight and then welterweight
Image source, Getty Images
ByBobbie Jackson
BBC Sport journalist
Max Holloway completed his transformation to welterweight as he prepares to face Conor McGregor in a rematch at UFC 329 on Saturday.
England vs India: Sophie Ecclestone leads fightback on day one of historic Lord's Test
England v India, one-off Test, Lord's
India 285 (74.5 overs): Mandhana 83; Ecclestone 3-68
England 21-1 (11 overs): Bouchier 17*; Gaud 1-8
England trail by 264 runs
Scorecard
Sophie Ecclestone became England's all-time leading wicket-taker across all formats as the hosts fought back late on day one against India of the first women's Test at Lord's.
Ecclstone claimed 3-68, to move above Katherine Sciver-Brunt with 338 wickets, as India were bowled out for 285 after Nat Sciver-Brunt surprisingly chose to bowl first in scorching conditions.
Wimbledon 2026 results: Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic to set up Alexander Zverev final
Defending champion Jannik Sinner produced a devastating display to end Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam title and reach the Wimbledon final against Alexander Zverev.
Just as he did at this stage last year, Sinner produced a display of power and precision to deny Djokovic in his pursuit of equalling Roger Federer's record eight men's singles titles at the All England Club.
Sinner did not offer a break point until midway through the third set but dismissed the 39-year-old Djokovic's only opportunity with an ace before going on to win 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Man City: Rico Lewis on faith, football and tackling homelessness
Man City's Lewis on faith, football and helping the homeless
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester City's Rico Lewis and local rapper Nemzzz have joined forces to raise money for homelessness charities
By
Football tactics correspondent
Manchester City midfielder Rico Lewis describes himself as a man of faith who is proud of his Christian beliefs, but this wasn't always the case.