Oyarzabal becomes Spain’s top-scoring Basque with 24 goals | OneFootball

Oyarzabal is now Spain’s leading Basque goalscorer after a brace against Serbia in Villarreal lifted him to 24 and into the national team’s top 10.

The 28-year-old has 24 in 52 caps, moving past Julio Salinas on 22. Friday’s double also took him beyond Alfredo Di Stéfano, Sergio Ramos and Ferran Torres, each on 23.

In recent years he has overhauled Xabi Alonso and Isidro Lángara, both on 16, and Telmo Zarra on 20. He turns 29 in April and could climb further, though the names ahead include Butragueño, Morientes, Hierro, Silva, Morata, Torres, Raúl and record-holder Villa with 59 in 98.

Oyarzabal’s strike rate stands at a goal every 105 minutes for Spain. Villa averaged 107, while only Morientes is better with one every 94.

Next Tuesday in Barcelona against Egypt he could join Villa as the only player to score in six successive Spain matches. He has netted in the last five, against Georgia twice, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Serbia, and has 16 in his past 10 internationals.

After the game he said his continuity is helping, that he is playing and scoring more than ever for club and country. With Real Sociedad he is now their second highest scorer, having equalled Roberto López Ufarte’s 129 against Osasuna, and he still trails Satrústegi on 169. Head coach Luis de la Fuente urged people to enjoy Oyarzabal and his goals.

Source: Diario Vasco