After receiving criticism for his initial World Cup appearance, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal returned to Atlanta Stadium on Sunday with a strong performance. Last Monday, Oyarzabal experienced a challenging start, becoming the first player since 1966 to not touch the ball in the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match. However, nearly a week later, he secured his place in history with two goals and an assist during Spain’s 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. This achievement made him the second player in World Cup history to contribute to three goals within the first 25 minutes of a match. The last to do so was Hungary’s László Fazekas in 1982.

Spain’s coach, Luis De La Fuente, praised Oyarzabal’s impact, stating, “The impact Mikel has on the team is massive, bigger than any other player in the world. I’m convinced he can make history in Spanish football. His numbers are impressive, and I celebrate his performance. Hopefully, we will recognize his value to the team.”

Oyarzabal’s assist came from a well-placed cross to 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, which led to an early goal at the 10-minute mark. This set the tone for the match. Oyarzabal then scored two goals just minutes apart, in the 21st and 24th minutes. These efforts helped Spain secure a 3-0 lead by halftime. He completed the game with five shots, three of which were on target, within 45 minutes of play.

Speaking on his World Cup debut, defined by ups and downs, Oyarzabal mentioned he’s not dwelling on his achievements. “In the end, it’s just an anecdote,” he stated. “I’m happy to have scored and helped the team. I’m always trying to do what’s best for the team.”

Despite being 29 years old and from Eibar, he expressed little interest in record-book accolades but focused on improving the Spanish national team’s reputation after Monday’s match. “When things don’t go well, you internally reflect and aim to improve. We knew we could perform better than before,” he explained. “Turning things around was crucial, and that’s exactly what we achieved.”