World Cup 2026: Oyarzabal shines with brace, breaks 60-year record after previous criticism

Spain's 2026 World Cup campaign is gaining momentum after a commanding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. The win saw a standout performance from 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal, who netted the team's first goal of the tournament. Adding to the triumph, veteran forward Mikel Oyarzabal silenced his critics with a brace, proving his worth after a disappointing previous outing.

Oyarzabal, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain's La Liga, faced significant criticism following the previous match against Cape Verde. In that game, he registered zero touches within the first 30 minutes, earning him the moniker "invisible man" and leading to a goalless draw. However, he bounced back emphatically against Saudi Arabia.

His resurgence began in the 10th minute when he assisted Yamal's opening goal. Just minutes later, Oyarzabal doubled Spain's lead with a shot from the left side of the penalty area. He then completed his brace in the 24th minute, scoring his second goal with a powerful strike into the top right corner, securing a comfortable 3-0 lead for Spain by halftime.

Oyarzabal's performance etched his name in the history books once again, this time for a remarkable achievement. He became the second player since detailed World Cup statistics were recorded in 1966 to be involved in three goals within the opening 25 minutes of a match. The only other player to achieve this feat was Hungary's László Fazekas. Oyarzabal's recent international form has been exceptional, with 14 goals and 7 assists in his last 13 matches.