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Spain can finally afford to dream again about lifting their second World Cup trophy.

After over ten years of unfulfilled expectations, Spain managed to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time since their triumph in 2010.

Yet, it is not coach Luis de la Fuente who is at the heart of La Roja’s resurgence, but rather Mikel Oyarzabal, who orchestrated Spain’s 3-0 round-of-32 victory over Austria on Thursday.

Oyarzabal’s performance in that match was nothing short of sensational. Scoring twice at Los Angeles Stadium, he became the first Spanish player to net a brace in a World Cup knockout stage since Emilio Butragueño achieved the feat back in 1986.

In doing so, Oyarzabal surpassed the legendary Real Madrid forward’s international goal tally, reaching 29 goals for Spain. He also overtook Fernando Morientes and drew level with another Spanish great, Fernando Hierro.

Over his last 14 international appearances, the Real Sociedad captain has delivered an astonishing 13 goals and eight assists, underlining his consistency and clinical edge.

The man who sealed Spain’s third European Championship title with his dramatic last-minute winner against England in the Euro 2024 final has always thrived on big occasions.

However, Oyarzabal’s path to this point was far from straightforward. Not long ago, he was viewed as a talented player who might forever remain on the fringes of Spain’s golden generation.

In 2022, he suffered a devastating setback when he tore the ACL in his left knee during training with Real Sociedad, ruling him out of what would have been his first World Cup appearance.

At 29, Oyarzabal has also seen his share of heartbreak in national colours. He was part of the squads that fell short in the UEFA Nations League finals in both 2021 and 2025 and was left out entirely during Spain’s victorious 2023 campaign.

Since Luis de la Fuente took over from Luis Enrique after Spain’s disappointing round-of-16 penalty shootout loss to Morocco, Oyarzabal has become an indispensable figure in the team’s tactical setup.

His versatility allows him to operate fluidly between the lines, freeing him from the kind of pressure and criticism that Spain’s traditional strikers, including the often-criticised Álvaro Morata, have faced.

His impact at Euro 2024 already secured his place in Spain’s football history alongside icons like Andrés Iniesta and Fernando Torres. Yet, given his current form and influence, Oyarzabal appears destined to carve out a legacy that may one day surpass even theirs.