‘An impressive player, Real Sociedad’s best World Cup ambassador’ | OneFootball

Three Real Sociedad greats who have scored at World Cups hailed Mikel Oyarzabal after his brace against Saudi Arabia in Spain’s second match. According to Diario Vasco, they lauded a decisive 45-minute cameo.

Bixio Gorriz said it was hard to do more in so little time and called Oyarzabal outstanding, a leading figure in a contender. He noted the return of two goals, an assist and a shot against the bar, and highlighted the run and pass for the 1-0 to Lamine Yamal as the key action.

Zamora argued Oyarzabal has reinvented himself since his March 2022 injury, running less but influencing more through smarter positioning and reading play. He also praised the precise ball to Lamine Yamal, clipped over the keeper but not overhit.

He added that global visibility is vital, recalling a 1981 charity match in Rome when only Camacho, Arconada and himself were picked from La Liga, then six Real players at the 1982 World Cup.

Javier López Ufarte said the Saudi Arabia display should lift Oyarzabal after criticism from the opener, arguing poor service had hindered him. He praised the response despite Luis de la Fuente saying he was short of peak fitness, and felt two World Cup goals burnish Real Sociedad’s image.

Looking ahead, López Ufarte places Spain with France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and England, but says their chances hinge on Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams and on collective play. Zamora is cooler, saying Spain are not yet at their Euros level, though they can grow.

Source: Diario Vasco