Lamine Yamal has a special quality to draw attention, be that through the diamond-encrusted gold Batman chain he wore when arriving at Spain’s latest World Cup match, or the equally glittering play he delivered out on the pitch.But the man who has cultivated a hugely effective career in the peripheral view of most football fans was once again the difference in Spain winning their first knockout match in this competition since lifting the trophy in 2010.Mikel Oyarzabal’s two goals in Los Angeles were the result of him being able to take up positions in defender’s blind spots, then exposing that oversight by finishing with unerring accuracy.It may sound unusual to say that a player who has scored the winning goal in a European Championship final might go unnoticed, but such is Oyarzabal’s unassuming style — combined with Spain’s kaleidoscope of creative players — he is still able to manoeuvre himself into space in the box for shooting chances, and thus up the scoring charts at this World Cup.In a tournament where the big names are bossing things, Oyarzabal, who wears No 21 on his back, is the player of smaller status well-placed to challenge. Now on four goals, Oyarzabal is only behind Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi (both six), Erling Haaland and Harry Kane (both five).His scoring has been steady for a while. Since the start of 2025 Oyarzabal has got 16 goals for Spain, with Haaland the only European player who has more across the same period (22).His goals against Austria were examples of his fit within this team, his skill at evading opposition defenders, and his finishing ability. For the first he was touch tight with Kevin Danso as Pedri moved forward with the ball, but then peeled off when as it went out to Marc Cucurella on the left. As Cucurella hit his cross, Oyarzabal held his position – a clear sign of a training ground move – and the ball rolled his way. He met it first time with his left, guiding it into bottom corner, narrowly past the despairing dive of David Alaba. It was a strike of precise angles.For his second, his movement was even better. At the moment Aymeric Laporte passed out to Cucurella on the left wing, Oyarzabal was walking in the centre. But as soon as Cucurella picked up possession he suddenly came alive. At Cucurella’s first touch, Oyarzabal burst into a sprint 18 yards outside the box, and pointed to where he wanted the ball. Cucurella, with his second touch, obliged, whipping it along the grass low into the area. Oyarzabal made up such ground as to finish from just inside the penalty spot about 10 yards out. This time he let the ball run across his body before side-footing with his right into the bottom corner.He had taken advantage of a dishevelled Austria defence, they appeared physically and mentally fatigued from chasing Spain around all game. Alaba was upfield so midfielder Paul Wanner had dropped into the backline but failed to see Oyarzabal in space behind him. At the moment Danso realised the defensive lapse, he flapped his arms in frustration.