After facing criticism during his World Cup debut, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal made a significant comeback at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday. Oyarzabal, initially struggling, became noteworthy for not recording a touch in the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match since 1966. Yet, nearly a week later, he set a new record with a performance marked by two goals and one assist, contributing to Spain’s 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. He joined Hungary’s László Fazekas as only the second player in history to score or assist in three goals within the first 25 minutes of a World Cup match.
Spain’s coach, Luis De La Fuente, praised Oyarzabal’s tremendous impact, stating, “The impact Mikel has on the team is massive, probably bigger than any other player could have in the world. I’m convinced that he’s a footballer that can really make history in Spanish football.” This acknowledgment came after Oyarzabal’s exceptional assist to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored the first goal at the 10-minute mark, followed by Oyarzabal’s two goals at the 21st and 24th minutes, giving Spain a decisive 3-0 lead by halftime.
In his 45 minutes on the field, Oyarzabal took five shots, with three on target. Despite the significant achievement, Oyarzabal remains unfazed by his performance fluctuations, describing it as “an anecdote” and emphasizing his focus on team success. “I don’t give any importance to it. It is what it is. I’m happy to have scored, to have helped the team. One way or another, I’m always trying to do what’s best for the team,” he expressed post-match.
The 29-year-old from Eibar is committed to correcting past performances and elevating the Spanish national team’s reputation. Reflecting on earlier performances, he noted, “When you don’t do things well, when things don’t go your way, you criticize yourself, you look internally to try to improve. We knew we could do much better than the other day.” His efforts were aimed at starting positively, which they accomplished with this major win.
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