Though he broke into the national team 10 years ago at 19, Oyarzabal has often operated away from the spotlight.
A torn ACL in his left knee kept him out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Yet four years on—and still awaiting a World Cup debut—he hit the best form of his career, scoring 12 in 12 internationals.
His brace against Austria pushed that sequence to 17 in his last 16 starts, taking him to four goals at this tournament.
Spanish football correspondent Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live that the two seasons since his recovery have been the finest of his career, adding that with four World Cup goals he is unquestionably Spain’s most decisive player.
Spain famously went without a traditional striker at Euro 2012, but Oyarzabal is now the focal point of their attack, as shown by his two clinical finishes against Austria.
Former Spain defender Cesar Azpilicueta told BBC One that while some doubt Spain’s centre-forward options, Oyarzabal is delivering, noting he has moved from the right wing into a more central role.
Since the start of last year, only Norway’s Erling Haaland, with 22, has scored more international goals among European players.
He also became the first Spaniard to score twice in a World Cup knockout game since Emilio Butragueno managed it against Denmark in the 1986 last 16.
The numbers are impressive, and they don’t mean Oyarzabal is being overshadowed by Lamine Yamal; in fact, the 18-year-old has been crucial in helping him shine.
The Barcelona forward’s superb control and dribbling unsettle defences, drawing Austrian players toward him and creating room for Oyarzabal.
Former Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said that a player like Lamine Yamal attracts so much attention that it opens up space, which Oyarzabal exploits to receive the ball and score.