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The name Mikel Oyarzabal has suddenly become the centre of attention after he set an unwanted record when Spain was held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde in their opening Group H match of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday (16 June 2026) early morning IST.

The 29-year-old forward became the first player in World Cup history to go the first 30 minutes of a match without touching the ball even once — effectively being AFK (away from keyboard).

This draw has raised concerns for the Spanish national team.

Spain entered the tournament as one of the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. According to Opta Analyst data, they topped the prediction charts with a 15.46 percent chance of claiming the title.

Football enthusiast Gigih and Arizqi Romadhoni, Chairman of Juventus Club Indonesia Chapter Banten, also agreed that Spain is among the leading contenders.

According to Arizqi Romadhoni, Spain is predicted to advance easily from Group H alongside Uruguay.

“Most likely, Spain will qualify with Uruguay,” said Arizqi Romadhoni during the Super Tactic podcast recorded at Tribunnews Solo’s office in Karanganyar, Central Java.

Meanwhile, Oyarzabal’s record has become a hot topic among football fans as it contrasts sharply with his reputation as one of Spain’s most prolific attackers in recent years.

Despite his poor showing in the opener, Oyarzabal actually arrived at the 2026 World Cup in excellent form.

He has been one of coach Luis de la Fuente’s key players after showing significant improvement with the Spanish national team.

Oyarzabal’s international career took off in March 2025. Before the UEFA Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands, he had scored 13 goals in 42 matches for La Roja.

However, within roughly a year, his productivity skyrocketed. He added 12 more goals in just 10 matches, bringing his total tally to 25 goals from 54 international appearances.

This achievement has placed the Eibar-born player among the top 10 all-time goal scorers in Spanish national team history.

He currently sits ninth on the list, closing in on La Roja legends such as Emilio Butragueño (26 goals), Fernando Morientes (27 goals), and Fernando Hierro (27 goals).

At club level, Oyarzabal is regarded as an icon of Real Sociedad.

A product of the Basque club’s academy, he made his senior debut in 2015 and has since grown into one of the most influential figures in Real Sociedad’s modern era.

In addition to playing as a centre-forward, Oyarzabal’s versatility allows him to operate effectively as either a left or right winger.

His scoring ability, spatial awareness, and leadership have earned him the captain’s armband at both club level and occasionally for the national team.

Coach Luis de la Fuente’s faith in Oyarzabal did not develop overnight. The two have worked together since Spain’s youth setups, including the U-19, U-21, and Olympic teams, before reuniting at the senior level.

With Álvaro Morata absent from Spain’s 2026 World Cup squad, Oyarzabal has been projected as La Roja’s main striker in their quest for a second world title after their 2010 triumph.

Although Spain’s campaign began on a disappointing note, they still have two group stage matches remaining.

La Roja are scheduled to face Saudi Arabia on 21 June before concluding their group stage against Uruguay on 27 June.

Oyarzabal will have a chance to redeem himself and prove he remains a reliable attacking option for Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

Mikel Oyarzabal’s Profile

• Name: Mikel Oyarzabal
• Place and Date of Birth: Eibar, Spain – 21 April 1997 (29 years old)
• Nationality: Spanish
• Height: 181 cm
• Position: Striker
• Club: Real Sociedad

(Tribunnews.com/Ali)