UEFA Nations League

ARSENAL fans are worried that Mikel Arteta could call off their striker search this summer after Mikel Merino continued his fine form in front of goal.Merino, 28, scored once again as he helped Spain reach the Nations League final with an astonishing 5-4 victory over France.Mikel Merino continued his goalscoring formCredit: GettyMerino tucked away a delightful weak-footed finish as Spain ran riot over France in the Nations LeagueCredit: ReutersThe Gunners are crying out for a centre-forward this summer and reports suggest that they will be bringing in a new frontman over the coming months.Arteta’s injury ravaged side forced him to put central midfielder Merino up top for the latter stages of the season.And the former Real Sociedad star, who had never played as a striker before, took the opportunity with both hands – scoring seven goals and registering four assists from February onwards.Now Merino has continued that form with Spain, scoring with a delightful finish on his week foot to help his nation to a dramatic win over France on Thursday night.READ MORE ON ARSENALAs well taken as the goal was, Arsenal fans have been left concerned by the performance – worrying Mikel Arteta will ditch his plans to sign one of Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres in favour of using Merino.On social media, one wrote: “Merino scoring again for Spain. Yeah there’s no chance Arteta buys a striker this summer…”While another added: “I’m happy Merino is scoring… but then again, I don’t want Arteta to start getting any ideas”.A third joked: “What is Mikel Merino doing? Now Mikel Arteta won’t buy a striker.”Most read in FootballMikel Arteta is looking for a new striker for the Gunners this summerCredit: AFPMerino had a superb end to the campaign as a striker for ArsenalJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesAnd a fourth posted: “Who needs Gyokeres?”Reports have suggested that one of Sesko or Gyokeres will be Emirates bound come the end of the summer window.Ex-Arsenal starlet jailed over plot to smuggle £600k of cannabis into UKAs for Merino’s contribution to Spain, he was one of four different scorers for the European champions in a crazy semi-final.A Lamine Yamal brace, and goals from Pedri and Nico Williams piled misery on France who put up a late comeback, but still fell short of Spain’s class.Real Madrid newbie Dean Huijsen was almost on the scoresheet too, but saw his spectacular acrobatic effort ruled out for offside – robbing the 20-year-old of a memorable first goal for the national team.France managed to force a Dani Vivian own goal, a Kylian Mbappe penalty and a jaw-dropping long-range debut goal from Man City-bound Rayan Cherki.While Randal Kolo Muani made it 5-4 in injury time, but it wasn’t enough to undo the damage caused by Spain earlier in the game.Spain will now face Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday.That match, hosted at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, will see a match up of the past vs the future when Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, and Lamine Yamal, 17, face off for the first ever time.Nico Williams opened the scoring for SpainCredit: GettyPedri was also on the scoresheetCredit: ReutersLamine Yamal bagged a brace for SpainCredit: AFPKylian Mbappe converted from the spot for FranceCredit: AFPRayan Cherki scored a stunning long-range effort on his debut for the French national teamCredit: Reuters More

FINLAND accidentally called up a retired 51-YEAR-OLD for international duty. And it meant her namesake missed out on a crucial Nations League match.Nanne Ruuskanen was supposed to be named in the Finland team for the Nations LeagueCredit: AlamyInstead the Finland manager named her 51-year-old namesake who last played for her country 29 years agoCredit: AlamyFinland women’s manager Outi Saarinen apologised for the incredible blunder.Saarinen named Stina Ruuskanen in the squad for Finland’s clash with Serbia.However, Ruuskanen was born in 1974 and has long been retired.Instead, she was supposed to include her namesake Nanne Ruuskanen – a 23-year-old defender who plays for Djurgarden. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe pair are not related.But with the error not spotted until after the team sheet deadline, it was too late to make the change – meaning Nanne could not play in the 1-1 draw, one of Finland’s last matches before Euro 2025. Stina earned two caps for Finland in the 1990s – with the latter coming a whopping 29 years ago.That is why she was on Uefa’s database system, leading to the clerical error – forcing Nanne to wait to make her senior national team debut. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSStina took it well and joked to Finnish reporters: “It’s amazing to still be called up to the national team at this age. “It’s a must-win match tonight so that’s probably why I’ve been selected.Germany vs Portugal Nations League clash DELAYED as players are forced to protect themselves from hailstones”I’m definitely ready if the call comes.”Just yesterday I was playing in a hobby league match… so my game feel is good.”Saarinen, meanwhile, expressed her sincere regret over the unfortunate incident. She said: “Nanne was, of course, disappointed but took the news very well considering the circumstances.”I am very sorry for the mistake.” More

CRISTIANO RONALDO was grabbed by a pitch invader amid a shocking security breach at the Nations League semi-final.Desperate stewards scrambled to intervene when a fan got on the pitch as Portugal’s eventual matchwinner warmed up to take on Germany.A determined fan got all the way out to Cristiano RonaldoRonaldo appeared shocked at first but then acted to calm the situationThe intruder was eventually restrained by four menRonaldo had the last laugh with the winner against GermanyCredit: ReutersRonaldo at first looked stunned when the intruder got his hands round him at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.The young male supporter was then held back by two people.And another security staff member rushed in to help keep the fan away from the 40-year-old legend.At the same time, a now-calm Ron put his arm out towards the man, as if to settle the situation down even further. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe fan was then tackled to the ground by FOUR stewards before being led away.It was at the same venue where Paris Saint-Germain fans swarmed on after Saturday’s 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.Security staff failed to stop that invasion, with supporters ripping out chunks of the turf as souvenirs and tearing down goal-frames. Wednesday’s intrusion came after the start of the international had been held up for 10 minutes due to a sudden hailstorm marring visibility.Most read in FootballViewers might have been shocked to see the fan get this close to RonBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKUefa said in a statement: “Kick-off delayed due to adverse weather conditions affecting the warm-up of the teams.”Ronaldo was in the Portugal line-up alongside Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who has just rejected a £200million move to Al-Hilal.Bruno Fernandes matches Cristiano Ronaldo record as he wins Man Utd award – but admits he DOESN’T want itAnd ex-Old Trafford hero Ron, didn’t seem too affected by his pre-match disturbance.He was involved in a few of Portugal’s most dangerous moments during a patchy and goalless first period, although he was not as sharp as he would have liked.But he was then the second-half hero, slotting a 68th-minute winner after Francisco Conceicao cancelled out German midfielder Florian Wirtz’s opener. Club-wise, however, Ronaldo’s future is uncertain.Al-Nassr still hope to keep the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – despite interest from major team in the Club World Cup.Ronaldo looked on as the supporter was led awayHe later slotted his 137th international goal to sink GermanyCredit: Reuters More