If you needed any more proof that Mikel Oyarzabal is the undisputed leader of this Spanish attack, Friday night in Villarreal provided it in spades. As La Roja cruised to a 3-0 friendly win over Serbia, the Real Sociedad captain didn’t just score twice—he officially cemented his status as a history-maker for the national team.
The Nine-Match Streak: A Record That Will Stand for Decades
While the two goals against Serbia were clinical, the real story lies in Oyarzabal’s unprecedented consistency. Following his goal against Turkey in the final round of World Cup qualifiers back in November 2025, Oyarzabal became the first player in the history of the Spanish national team to record a goal or an assist in nine consecutive matches.
Not Raul, not David Villa, and not Fernando Torres managed that level of sustained output. In a system often criticized for “passing without a purpose,” Oyarzabal has become the ultimate clinical outlier.
The Serbia Masterclass
Against a stubborn Serbian side, Oyarzabal broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, latching onto a clever dummy from Alex Baena to fire home. He doubled his tally just before the break, showing a veteran’s composure to slot home a pass from the young defensive prodigy Pau Cubarsi.
With 24 international goals now to his name, he is rapidly climbing Spain’s all-time scoring charts, currently sitting in the top 15 and closing in on legends like Emilio Butragueño (26) and Fernando Morientes (27).
World Cup 2026: The Focal Point
Luis de la Fuente has made it clear: Oyarzabal is his “untouchable.” Whether he’s playing as a false nine or cutting in from the left, his tactical intelligence allows the likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams the freedom to cause chaos. As Spain prepares for Group H in the upcoming World Cup—facing Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay—Oyarzabal is the man with the golden touch.
