World Cup 2026: Unai Simon makes history with Spain

02.07.26 FT World Cup

Spain

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Austria

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With another clean sheet against Austria (3-0) in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon has broken the tournament's unbeaten record, previously held by Walter Zenga.

La Roja's shot-stopper hasn't conceded a single goal during this 2026 World Cup campaign against Cape Verde (0-0), Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0), and Austria (3-0). That makes 519 minutes of play in which the Athletic Bilbao keeper has been unbeatable on the World Cup stage.

This remarkable run began back at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he hasn't let in a single goal since Ao Tanaka scored for Japan (2-1, third group stage match). Spain drew 0-0 with Morocco in the Round of 16, only to be eliminated on penalties.

That's 519 minutes without conceding—a tally that eclipses Italy's Walter Zenga, who set the previous record in 1990. Simon has also surpassed his compatriot Iker Casillas (476 minutes) and England's Peter Shilton (500 minutes).

He'll aim to extend this record next Monday (7 p.m. GMT) when Spain faces Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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