2 hours ago For overmuch of an planetary vocation that began a decennary agone astatine the property of 19, Oyarzabal has not enjoyed overmuch of the limelight.
He missed retired connected the 2022 World Cup successful Qatar with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) successful his near knee.
But 4 years aboriginal - and earlier a World Cup debut - helium was successful the signifier of his beingness with 12 goals successful 12 planetary appearances.
The treble against Austria extended that tally to 17 successful his past 16 starts, with 4 goals astatine this tournament.
"His past 2 seasons, since helium recovered, are the champion of his career," added Balague.
"Four goals successful the World Cup - our astir decisive player, nary doubt."
Spain memorably played without a recognised striker astatine Euro 2012, but Oyarzabal is present precise overmuch the focal constituent of their attacks with 2 fantabulous finishes against Austria.
"Sometimes radical are successful uncertainty astir Spain due to the fact that of the centre-forward, but Oyarzabal is doing the job," erstwhile Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta told BBC One.
"A fewer years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a spot much connected the close helping and helium has transitioned much into the middle."
Since the commencement of past year, the lone European subordinate with much planetary goals than Oyarzabal is Norway striker Erling Haaland with 22.
He besides became the archetypal Spanish subordinate to people doubly successful a World Cup knockout lucifer since Emilio Butragueno against Denmark successful the past 16 of the 1986 tournament.
The statistic are impressive, but it is not to accidental helium is overshadowed by Lamine Yamal, with the 18-year-old playing a cardinal relation successful Oyarzabal being capable to shine.
The Barcelona forward's fantabulous shot power and dribbling skills intelligibly unsettles defences and pulled the Austrian defenders towards him to make much abstraction for Oyarzabal.
"When you person idiosyncratic successful your squad similar Lamine Yamal who attracts truthful overmuch attention, you cognize you volition get much space," said erstwhile Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger.
"Oyarzabal uses that space, gets the ball, and scores goals."
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