10/10/2025
Mikel Merino believes Spanish fans will see a “recognisable team” in their World Cup qualifier against Georgia despite injuries to key players.
Lamine Yamal, who assisted three times in two games during the last international break, and Nico Williams were both left out of Luis de la Fuente’s side due to their respective injuries.
Spain made a perfect start to their qualifying campaign for next summer’s World Cup, beating Bulgaria 3-0 before thrashing Turkey 6-0.
The reigning European champions have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six World Cup qualifiers, their longest run of games without conceding a goal in the competition (since at least 2010).
Merino, who scored a hat-trick in their win against Turkey, believes Spain have the squad to adapt to the absences of Yamal and Williams.
“You can win games from the bench. Matches are decided in the final minutes, and you have to do well no matter what you're playing,” said Merino.
"[We are taught to] think about the group. [We have] players with a lot of resources and very good one-on-one.
“We will see a recognisable team.”
