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Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain beat Austria 3-0 at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday, sending the reigning European champions into the round of 16 with their first knockout stage victory in 16 years, according to BBC Sport.
Oyarzabal now has four goals at this World Cup. His brace against Austria made him the first Spanish player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno against Denmark in the last 16 of the 1986 tournament. Since the start of last year, the only European player with more international goals than Oyarzabal is Norway's Erling Haaland, who has 22.
The 29-year-old one-club man from Real Sociedad came into the tournament having scored 12 goals in 12 international appearances. The double against Austria extended that run to 17 goals in his last 16 starts.
All eyes at the stadium were on 18-year-old Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, whose name dominated the back of supporters' shirts. Cameras followed Yamal during warmups and when Spain took the pitch. But it was Oyarzabal who did the most damage.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague explained the dynamic to BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's so clear that [Yamal] is the leader of the side, that everything that everybody does has to do with him. Mikel Oyarzabal is the invisible man, he has scored in every final he has ever played. He is one of the most intelligent players we have and he is the other one who can be a match-winner."
Balague added that Oyarzabal's recent form has been the best of his career. "His last two seasons, since he recovered, are the best of his career. Four goals in the World Cup - our most decisive player, no doubt."
Oyarzabal missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after rupturing the ACL in his left knee. He returned to the international stage and has not stopped scoring since.
Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta, speaking on BBC One, pointed to how Oyarzabal's positioning has evolved. "A few years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a bit more on the right wing and he has transitioned more into the middle. Sometimes people are in doubt about Spain because of the centre-forward, but Oyarzabal is doing the job."
Yamal's role in creating space for Oyarzabal was a recurring theme in the analysis after the match. The Barcelona forward's dribbling and ball control drew Austrian defenders toward him, opening room for Oyarzabal to operate centrally.
Spain, who famously played without a recognised striker at Euro 2012, now have a clear focal point up front as they head into the round of 16.
