Overview

• Spain beat Georgia 2-0 in Elche in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the second from a rare free kick.
• Oyarzabal has five goals in his last six appearances for Spain, reinforcing his growing leadership role in the squad.
• Coach Luis de la Fuente said Oyarzabal is undervalued and also praised Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi as essential contributors who lack recognition.
• Oyarzabal ceded a first-half penalty to Ferrán Torres, who missed, then said he felt at ease with the decision and backed the Barcelona forward to respond in the next match.
• In 2025 he has 10 goals for Spain and 12 under De la Fuente overall, and his strike against Georgia moved him to 18 for the national team, the most by a Gipuzkoan player.