Before every Spain game at this World Cup, one name has dominated the back of the shirts worn by fans – Lamine Yamal. He was the focus of the cameras at Los Angeles Stadium when he arrived for Thursday's last-32 tie against Austria, and again the centre of attention when the players came out on to the pitch. But the player who is perhaps not the biggest name in this Spain squad is the one who has so far shone the brightest: Mikel Oyarzabal.
The 29-year-old Real Sociedad striker scored twice as the reigning European champions comfortably beat Austria 3-0 to secure a first knockout win in 16 years and progress to the last 16. His double extended a remarkable run of 17 goals in his last 16 international starts, with four at this tournament alone.
“Mikel Oyarzabal scores twice as Spain beat Austria 3-0, securing first knockout win in 16 years.”
"He is one of the best strikers right now in Spain," former Spain forward David Villa told BBC Radio 5 Live. "For Spain, the people know that he's one of the best of the best. The problem is he plays for Real Sociedad. He doesn't play the Champions League. Champions League outside of Spain has a lot of impact, and if you didn't see him, it's normally that out of Spain, if you don't see the national team, he's not a player that the people love him. He combines very well playing the middle of the centre-backs. He's a shark, you know?"
Oyarzabal's international career began a decade ago at the age of 19, but he has not enjoyed much of the limelight. He missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Four years later, and before a World Cup debut, he was in the form of his life with 12 goals in 12 international appearances. "His last two seasons, since he recovered, are the best of his career," Spanish football correspondent Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Four goals in the World Cup – our most decisive player, no doubt."
Oyarzabal has become the focal point of Spain's attacks – something they memorably lacked a recognised striker for at Euro 2012. "Sometimes people are in doubt about Spain because of the centre-forward, but Oyarzabal is doing the job," former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta told BBC One. "A few years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a bit more on the right wing and he has transitioned more into the middle."
Since the start of last year, the only European player with more international goals than Oyarzabal is Norway striker Erling Haaland with 22. He also became the first Spanish player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueño – a record that underscores just how far he has come. Spain will face either Portugal or Croatia in the last 16.