Like father, like son.
Spain's Mikel Merino became an unexpected hero in the European Championship quarterfinal against Germany. After the goal, he celebrated like his dad did 33 years earlier at the same venue.
The scorching European Championship quarterfinal between Germany and Spain was nearing a penalty shootout on the boiling arena in Stuttgart. Then, Spanish substitute Dani Olmo sent in a cross that another substitute, Mikel Merino, perfectly met with his head and nodded in.
Merino then celebrated the 2–1 goal with a somewhat unusual goal celebration. The 28-year-old took a lap around one of the corner flags before letting out a loud shout of joy.
The explanation? His dad had celebrated in exactly the same way at exactly the same arena 33 years earlier.
It must be something about this arena that brings us luck. My dad also scored a goal here, so it's a special arena for us, said Mikel Merino to AP.
Dad Angel Merino scored his goal for club team Osasuna in a UEFA Cup match against Stuttgart in November 1991. He told Spanish Cadena Ser that he felt an "enormous pride" when son Mikel scored his goal and celebrated the way he did.
He wanted to make me look bad, joked Angel.
He has already surpassed me, and now it's not just me who has scored a goal in Stuttgart either. Now I just have to be quiet and give him a big kiss, he deserves it.
Dad Angel never played for the national team and spent several seasons with Osasuna. Son Mikel started his career with the same club and now plays for Real Sociedad.
His decisive goal against Germany took Spain to a semifinal against France, which will be played on Tuesday.
