Before each Spain match at this World Cup, the name on the back of most supporters' shirts has been Lamine Yamal. The teenage Barcelona forward draws cameras and defenders alike — yet it is a quieter, older figure who has emerged as Spain's most important attacking player so far.

Mikel Oyarzabal, the 29-year-old Real Sociedad striker, scored twice as the reigning European champions dismantled Austria 3-0 in the last 32, securing Spain's first knockout-stage victory in 16 years and booking their place in the last 16.

The invisible man who scores in every final

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague painted a vivid picture of the dynamic at play. "It's so clear that [Yamal] is the leader of the side, that everything everybody does has to do with him," Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Mikel Oyarzabal is the invisible man — he has scored in every final he has ever played. He is one of the most intelligent players we have and he is the other one who can be a match-winner."

The double against Austria took Oyarzabal's tally to 17 goals in his last 16 international starts, with four goals already at this tournament. He entered the World Cup in the form of his life, having netted 12 times in 12 appearances for Spain.

"His last two seasons, since he recovered, are the best of his career," Balague added. "Four goals in the World Cup — our most decisive player, no doubt."

A career shaped by injury and reinvention

Oyarzabal's path to this moment was far from straightforward. He missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar entirely after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. A decade into his international career, which began when he was 19, he had rarely basked in the spotlight — until now.

A shift in his positional role has been central to his resurgence. Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta explained: "A few years ago, Oyarzabal was playing a bit more on the right wing and he has transitioned more into the middle. A few years ago people were in doubt about Spain because of the centre-forward, but Oyarzabal is doing the job."

Since the start of last year, the only European player with more international goals than Oyarzabal is Norway striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 22. Oyarzabal also became the first Spanish player to score twice in a World Cup knockout match since Emilio Butragueno did so against Denmark in the last 16 of the 1986 tournament.

How hockey helped him 'smell goals'

In a rare glimpse into his mental approach, Oyarzabal recently credited his instinct for goal to an unlikely source — hockey. "I used to play hockey and I scored many goals," he said. "I always had this voice in my head: 'It doesn't matter if you missed one — there will be more.' I could smell goals, and that voice was always in my head."

Playing as an out-and-out striker now suits that mindset. "Players in other positions need to spend more time on the ball, or get more involved to feel they're performing well," Oyarzabal said. "But if you play higher up the pitch, and especially if you're a striker like myself, it all comes down to a few moments. We often have to smell where the ball might drop or where you have to stand to have a chance at goal."

Oyarzabal is also a rare one-club man in the modern game, having spent his entire career at Real Sociedad. Last season he delivered his finest individual campaign in the league, scoring 15 goals — form that has carried seamlessly into this summer.

Yamal creates, Oyarzabal finishes

None of this diminishes the role Lamine Yamal plays. The 18-year-old's dribbling and ball control unsettle defences and drag opponents toward him, opening up channels for Oyarzabal to exploit. Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger put it plainly: "When you have someone in your team like Lamine Yamal who attracts so much attention, you know you will get more space. Oyarzabal uses that space, gets the ball, and scores goals."

Spain still have more gears to find

Spain's win over Austria extended their unbeaten run to 34 matches — one short of their all-time record of 35, which they would equal by reaching the quarter-finals. After an unexpected goalless draw with Cape Verde in their opening game, they have since found full stride, scoring eight times in four matches without conceding once.

A mouth-watering last-16 tie against either Portugal or Croatia awaits. Former England striker Dion Dublin believes Spain have not yet shown everything they possess. "I think Spain have got more gears to go through," Dublin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "They were comfortable playing in third or fourth gear against Austria because they knew the opposition didn't have anything to offer. When they are playing against France or Portugal, whoever it may be, they will just up their game again. I think they have a lot more to offer — which is a frightening thing for the rest of the teams in the competition."