Thanks, in small part, to the scoring exploits of a tournament debutant, Spain are in the men’s semifinals for the first time in 16 years.
Who is Spain’s top goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup?
Appearing at the first World Cup of his career, Mikel Oyarzabal has been Spain’s goal-getter-in-chief this summer - and is close to emulating the tournament tallies of a quartet of La Roja legends.
Oyarzabal’s World Cup double-double
Oyarzabal has bagged five goals in six games in North America, a haul that has helped Spain to return to the men’s World Cup semifinals for the first time since winning its sole global title in 2010.
The Spaniards face France today, with the victor advancing to the final of the World Cup 2026 and Mikel Oyarzabal scored another goal on a penalty kick to put Spain ahead 1-0.
Although Oyarzabal drew a blank against the Portuguese - Mikel Merino was the match winner in Monday’s 1-0 triumph - the striker’s scoring exploits in the last 32 were key to setting up the Iberian showdown in Dallas. Against Austria four days beforehand, the Real Sociedad star netted twice in a 3-0 victory for the European champions, producing a pair of clinical first-time strikes in Los Angeles.
That was Oyarzabal’s second brace - and his second exhibition of unerring close-range finishing - of the tournament.
On matchday two of the group stage, he racked up two goals, as well as supplying an assist, to inspire Spain to a 4-0 thumping of Saudi Arabia. It was a win that served as the launchpad for the Spaniards’ campaign, following the disappointment of a goalless draw with Cape Verde in their Group H opener.
Spain’s goalscorers at the 2026 World Cup:
- Mikel Oyarzabal: 5
- Mikel Merino: 2
- Álex Baena: 1
- Fabian Ruiz: 1
- Pedro Porro: 1
- Lamine Yamal: 1
- Own goals: 1
“Deserves huge credit”
Against France, Oyarzabal’s took his overall tally for Spain to an impressive 30 goals in 59 caps. It’s a mark that also includes the winner in the 2024 European Championship final, and leaves him joint-sixth on the list of the team’s all-time leading scorers. Having overtaken Fernando Morientes to move alongside Fernando Hierro, Oyarzabal now has David Silva in his sights, seven goals ahead on 35.
“Another day, another demonstration of his goalscoring abilities,” Spain boss Luis de la Fuente said of the Basque. “He deserves huge credit.”
Oyarzabal has even more ground to make up if he wants to mark his first World Cup by establishing himself as Spain’s highest career goalscorer at the men’s tournament. That status currently belongs to 2010 champion David Villa, who netted nine times across three World Cups, between 2006 and 2014.
Oyarzabal joins a group of former Spain favorites as La Roja’s second-top World Cup marksman. Four players - Hierro, Morientes, Emilio Butragueño and Raúl Gonzalez - all have five tournament goals to their name.
Spain’s all-time highest World Cup goalscorers:
- 1. David Villa: 9 (2006, 2010, 2014)
- 2=. Emilio Butragueño: 5 (1986, 1990)
- 2=. Fernando Hierro: 5 (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
- 2=. Fernando Morientes: 5 (1998, 2002)
- 2=. Raúl Gonzalez: 5 (1998, 2002, 2006)
- 3=. Mikel Oyarzabal: 5 (2026)
- 3=. Estanislao Basora: 4 (1950)
- 3=. Míchel: 4 (1986, 1990)
- 3=. Fernando Torres: 4 (2006, 2010, 2014)
- 3=. Telmo Zarra: 4 (1950)
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