Oyarzabal turns Spain's attack around with a quick brace

After a difficult opening match against Cape Verde, Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal produced a dramatic response in the next game, leading La Roja to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia with two goals in a matter of minutes. He also set up Lamine Yamal’s goal, underlining a sharp shift in form for Spain’s attack.

According to the Spanish report, Oyarzabal has now scored 11 goals and added five assists in his last 10 appearances for the national team. That run includes three assists in Spain’s 6-0 win over Turkey in the European Championship qualifiers. The article says his movement and finishing have made him central to Spain’s forward play, with the team’s attack described as beginning with him.

Spanish media praised him as always being in the right place, relentless in his pressing, and ruthless in front of goal. One line said that with Lamine Yamal in the lineup and a different setup, “this is a different Spain,” and that the attack is sharper and constantly waiting to punish mistakes.

Oyarzabal’s brace made him the first Spain player since Fernando Torres in 2006 to score a double for the national team in a World Cup match. The report also noted that in the previous game he did not touch the ball for the first 30 minutes. The article was published on June 21, 2026, ahead of the 2026 World Cup.