Oyarzabal leads Real Sociedad’s hopes heading into Copa del Rey final in peak form | OneFootball

Mikel Oyarzabal is carrying Real Sociedad’s hopes into the 18 April Copa del Rey final against Atlético de Madrid, his form and leadership defining their run.

AS highlights that he is now the club’s second all-time scorer, reaching 129 goals in 427 matches at 28 years and 328 days. He did so sooner than López Ufarte, who needed 474 games and had to pass 29, with only Jesús María Satrústegui’s 162 ahead.

This season he has 12 Liga goals and two in the cup, underlining his central role in Real Sociedad’s attack. His efficiency has carried into the Spain set-up, where Friday’s brace against Serbia moved him into the national team’s top 10 with 24.

That tally equals Ferran Torres and puts him within reach of Butragueño on 25, Morientes on 27 and Fernando Hierro on 29.

For Spain he has 11 goals in his last 10 outings, scoring in five consecutively. He has also struck in five different finals, twice in the Nations League, once at the Euros, once at the Tokyo Olympics and from the spot at La Cartuja.

That penalty in the 2020 final against Athletic Club secured the club’s most recent cup. Supporters now look to him again in Sevilla, trusting that his knack on decisive days could be the key in April.

Source: AS