Six Finals, Six Goals: Oyarzabal Eyes World Cup History Against Argentina
Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal has scored in six career finals and now targets another record as La Roja face Argentina in the World Cup final.
Spain forward Mikel Oyarzabal will head into Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Argentina carrying one of football’s most remarkable individual records, having scored in every major final he has played as a professional.
According to FIFA, the 29-year-old has found the net in all six senior finals of his career and now has the opportunity to extend that extraordinary streak when Spain meet defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
FIFA said Oyarzabal “has scored in the six finals he has played as a professional” and is “bidding to become the first Spain player to notch six goals at the same tournament.”
The governing body also noted that no Spain player has scored two braces at a single World Cup, highlighting another milestone within Oyarzabal’s reach.
Reflecting on his importance to Spain, FIFA described him as a player who consistently delivers when the stakes are highest.
“When the stakes are at their highest, Spain know they can always turn to Mikel Oyarzabal. Few players in football history can boast a goalscoring record like his,” FIFA stated.
Although his 30 international goals remain behind Spain’s all-time leading scorer David Villa, FIFA noted that Oyarzabal has already broken the record for the most goals scored by a Spain forward in a single season with 14.
The organisation also praised his composure from the penalty spot, noting that several of his final goals have come from penalties, adding that he has maintained a flawless conversion record in finals.
Oyarzabal’s latest World Cup goal came during Spain’s semi-final victory over France, when he calmly converted a penalty beyond goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Despite scoring in all six finals, Oyarzabal has not won every one of them. His teams have recorded four victories and two defeats while he maintained his perfect goalscoring record.
His victories include the 2019/20 Copa del Rey, UEFA Euro 2024, the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League and the 2025/26 Copa del Rey. His defeats came in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic final against Brazil and the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League final against France, where he also scored.
Sunday’s showdown gives Oyarzabal another opportunity to make history as Spain seek their second FIFA World Cup title while attempting to end Argentina’s reign as world champions.
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