Mikel Oyarzabal has always known where to find the net. Long before he became Spain's most dangerous player at the World Cup, he was a young boy in Spain playing hockey — and scoring just as freely then. "I could smell goals," he once said. "That voice was always in my head." That nose for the target has carried him through injury, obscurity, and years on the fringes of international football to this remarkable moment: four goals in four World Cup matches, a nation suddenly believing, and a Spanish team that looks unstoppable.
For most of the last decade, Oyarzabal flew under the radar. He missed the 2022 World Cup after tearing a major ligament in his left knee — a devastating setback that cost him the biggest stage. Four years later, before he had even made his World Cup debut, he was on fire. He has scored 12 goals in 12 international appearances, and 17 goals in his last 16 starts for Spain. Since the start of last year, only Norway's Erling Haaland has scored more international goals among European players.
His performance against Austria was historic. Oyarzabal became the first Spanish player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno in 1986 — nearly 40 years ago. Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta summed it up simply: "Four goals in the World Cup — our most decisive player, no doubt."
Part of Oyarzabal's success comes from where he plays now. A few years ago, he was stationed mostly on the right wing. Coach Luis de la Fuente has moved him more centrally, and that suits him perfectly. "If you play higher up the pitch, and especially if you're a striker, it all comes down to a few moments," Oyarzabal explained. "You have to smell where the ball might drop."
He also has help. Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal has been a sensation at this tournament, and his dazzling footwork draws defenders toward him, leaving space for Oyarzabal to slip through. "When you have someone like Lamine Yamal who attracts so much attention, you know you will get more space," said former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger. "Oyarzabal uses that space, gets the ball, and scores goals."
What makes Oyarzabal's story even more striking is his loyalty. In an era of players jumping between clubs, he has spent his entire career at one team: Real Sociedad. He scored 15 league goals for them last season — his best return yet — and that form has carried straight into the national team.
Spain are now genuine contenders to add the World Cup to the European Championship they won last summer. They extended their unbeaten run to 34 games by beating Austria and have yet to concede a single goal in the tournament. Former England striker Dion Dublin said they have "more gears to go through," suggesting the best is yet to come. "That's a frightening thing for the rest of the teams in the competition," he added.
Oyarzabal himself seems hungry for more. "It doesn't matter if you missed one — there will be more," he said, recalling that childhood voice that still drives him. After everything he has overcome, the quiet kid from the hockey pitch is finally getting the attention he deserves.