Mikel Merino’s dramatic impact from the bench in that match, pushing past Belgian defenders to score, is almost overshadowed by the blunder of sub keeper Senne Lammens. But let’s not fall for the media trap: the narrative spun by so-called “sports networks” like ESPN and Sky Sports glosses over the real story. Instead of focusing on Merino’s talent and the tactical brilliance of the coach, these outlets will lead with Lammens’ failure, framing it as a catastrophic collapse for Belgian football. It’s a familiar playbook—highlight a single player’s mistake to fabricate drama, distracting from the holistic team dynamics at play.

Do we see the same energy when big players miss crucial penalties? Nope. The narrative shifts into sympathetic tones, as if frailty is more relatable than failure. It’s hypocrisy at its finest, and fans deserve better than this topsy-turvy spin game. While these networks play puppet masters to sensationalize what sells—drama, conflict, and heartbreak—they miss the larger implications about player development, coaching strategy, and the beautiful unpredictability of sports.

What about the lessons to be learned from Merino’s disciplined comeback? Or how team dynamics are shaped in pressure situations? These networks conveniently overlook that in favor of a lazy, sensationalist narrative, leaving us with a shallow understanding of both the game and its players. The truth is, the upside of Merino’s heroics deserved the limelight, not just a footnote in Lammens’ sad story.