Spain’s Simon sets World Cup record with six clean sheets ahead of final
Unai Simon’s defensive dominance has defined Spain’s campaign, conceding just one goal in seven matches and surpassing Walter Zenga’s historic record.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has established a new benchmark for defensive excellence at the 2026 World Cup, keeping six clean sheets across seven matches. The 29-year-old’s performance has seen him concede only one goal throughout the tournament, breaking a 36-year-old record for consecutive scoreless minutes previously held by Italy’s Walter Zenga. Simon’s consistency has been a cornerstone of Spain’s path to the final, where they will face Argentina on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
Simon’s record-breaking streak of 650 minutes without conceding ended in the 41st minute of the quarter-final against Belgium, when Charles De Ketelaere scored with a header. Prior to that moment, Simon had maintained a 90 per cent save percentage, stopping every shot on target he faced outside of the single goal allowed. This statistical dominance marks a significant evolution from Spain’s 2022 campaign, where Simon started every match but conceded three goals in four games before elimination by Morocco.
The choice of Simon as first-choice goalkeeper under coach Luis de la Fuente has drawn attention given the form of competitors such as Arsenal’s David Raya. Raya has won three consecutive Golden Gloves awards in the Premier League and helped his club secure their first league title since 2004. However, Simon’s long-standing relationship with De la Fuente, dating back to their time together at the 2015 European Under-19 Championship, has proven decisive. Simon has been instrumental in Spain’s victories in the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024 under the same manager.
Simon’s club career is firmly rooted in the Basque Country with Athletic Club, where he has made more than 200 senior appearances since becoming first-choice in 2018. His domestic success includes winning the Spanish Super Cup in 2020/21 and the Zamora Trophy in 2023/24 for conceding the fewest goals in La Liga. Simon has publicly acknowledged the high standard set by Raya, stating that the Premier League goalkeeper’s status motivates him to work harder, while De la Fuente has defended the selection by citing Simon’s class, career, and professional experience.
Spain’s route to the final was solidified by a 2-0 semi-final victory over France at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. This win extended Spain’s recent dominance over France, marking their third consecutive major tournament victory against their French opponents. With the final scheduled for the New York-New Jersey Stadium, Simon’s defensive record stands as a key metric in what is shaping up to be a contest between contrasting tactical approaches.
