Oyarzabal joins Villa and Butragueño after semi-final penalty for Spain | OneFootball

Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the spot to put Spain 1-0 up against France in the World Cup semi-final in Dallas, a strike that propelled him into rarefied company. According to Diario Vasco, the moment carried far beyond Dallas.

After Lamine Yamal was brought down by Digne, there was no disguise over the taker, the Real Sociedad captain collected the ball and took responsibility. His left-footed effort flew beyond Milan goalkeeper Maignan, who guessed correctly. It was the first time at this World Cup that France had been behind.

Celebrations rippled through Gipuzkoa, car horns blared as pride swelled, even if not every Real Sociedad fan embraces Spain. Many did, buoyed by their captain's moment.

The goal was his fifth of the tournament, drawing him level with Emilio Butragueño in 1986 and David Villa in 2010 as Spain's top scorers in a single World Cup. His tally for the senior side now stands at 30, with 24 under Luis de la Fuente, lifting him past Fernando Hierro into sixth on Spain's all-time list. Ahead lie David Silva on 35, Álvaro Morata 37, Fernando Torres 38, Raúl González 44, and the distant 59 of Villa.

Renowned for delivering when it matters, he arrived at this World Cup with six goals in knockout ties, then added two against Saudi Arabia, two against Austria, and this semi-final strike against France. He is also the first Spain player to reach 14 goals in a single season, this penalty taking him beyond Villa's 13 in 2008-09.

Source: Diario Vasco