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Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has opened up about the emotions and pressure behind his team’s successful run to the Euro 2024 title, admitting that the final against England brought an intensity unlike any other match in the tournament.

Drawing comparisons to Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022, Merino noted that winning a major tournament isn’t necessarily about starting strong but about building momentum as the competition progresses. Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign was a clear reflection of that philosophy, as the squad gained confidence with every match, advancing from the group stages all the way to the final.

“To be honest, the final was probably the game where the pressure got to us,” Merino told FourFourTwo. “Throughout the rest of the tournament, we were just enjoying every minute of being together at the camp – we had developed such strong momentum.”

Spain entered the final in top form, but Merino admitted that the occasion itself brought new challenges. “That’s when things changed and we started thinking, ‘This is huge – the pressure is massive.’ It really was do or die,” he said.

Before Merino’s introduction from the bench, Spain had taken the lead through Nico Williams, only for Cole Palmer to draw England level in the second half. “We played well and controlled the game, but we couldn’t create the chances to finish them off,” the midfielder explained. “Then Palmer scored that equaliser – it was tough to take.”

As the game neared its conclusion, Merino recalled the tension among his teammates. “Towards the end, we were really feeling the stress. We were looking at each other, thinking, ‘Are they coming back now? What if we lose?’ But football is about handling those moments – the fine details make all the difference,” he said.

Spain’s eventual winning goal came from Mikel Oyarzabal, who converted what was an extremely close call. “Our winner might have been just one centimetre from being offside, but Oyarzabal timed his touch perfectly, and that made all the difference,” Merino reflected.

Merino, who had earlier scored Spain’s dramatic quarter-final winner against Germany, once again made a vital contribution in the final as Spain defeated Gareth Southgate’s England to lift the trophy. Despite acknowledging that it wasn’t Spain’s most polished performance, he recognised the importance of mental strength in securing the result.

When asked about the post-match celebrations, Merino described the scenes with great affection. “I remember going home and doing the bus parade with the fans,” he said with a smile. “It was incredible, magical even, seeing Madrid filled with people wearing Spain jerseys, shouting and celebrating together. The energy was so positive and unifying. Everyone was laughing, dancing, just enjoying what we had accomplished.”

Spain’s Euro 2024 success not only underlined their tactical and technical prowess but also demonstrated their ability to stay composed under immense pressure – something Merino believes defined their journey to becoming European champions.