Unai Simón sets World Cup record with 519-minute shutout streak for Spain

Unai Simon has kept six clean sheets at this World Cup, the most by any goalkeeper in a single tournament, and has conceded just one goal across seven matches.

Spain advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Belgium. Goalkeeper Unai Simon's record 650-minute shutout streak concluded when Charles De Ketelaere scored. Mikel Merino secured Spain's win with a late goal, his second crucial strike in the tournament. Belgium's hopes were dashed after their goalkeeper sustained an injury during the match. This victory extended Spain's impressive unbeaten run to thirty-seven games.

The Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has not conceded a goal at the World Cup and, worryingly for Belgium, he has not had to face that many shots“We’re the villains, there to stop the goals that football lives off,” Unai Simón says. If so, there has never been a bad guy as bad as him, the keeper who could do with an introduction from Don LaFontaine: In a World Cup dominated by forwards, one man resists … There were five minutes to go until half-time during Spain’s battle with Portugal in the last 16 when something historic happened, or there would have been if anything had actually happened. Instead, nothing did, which is the way Simón likes it.As the clock rolled into the 40th minute, Spain’s goalkeeper silently moved on to 560 World Cup minutes without conceding, taking in seven games and going all the way back to Ao Tanaka’s strike for Japan in Qatar. Against Austria in the last 32, he had already left Walter Zenga behind on 517, now he and Spain overtook Switzerland’s record: 559 minutes spread across 14 years and three tournaments in 1994, 2006 and 2010. The next minute, Nuno Mendes hit the bar, but still Simón would not be beaten, Mikel Merino’s 90th minute winner the only goal of the game. Continue reading...

ARLINGTON, Texas— Spain broke a World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet and goalkeeper Unai Simón extended his record for the tournament’s longest scoreless streak to 609 minutes in Monday’s 1-0 win over Portugal. Spain broke a tie with Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10) for the most consecutive World Cup matches without allowing a goal. Spain’s streak began with a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 in 2022, when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout. There was also a surprising scoreless draw against Cape Verde to open group play in this tournament, followed by four consecutive shutout […]...Keep on reading: World Cup: Spain sets record with 6th clean sheet in a row

Spain broke a World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet and goalkeeper Unai Simon extended his record shutout streak to 609 minutes after a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday. Spain broke its tie with Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10) for the most consecutive World Cup matches not allowing a goal. Spain's streak began with a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 in 2022, when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout. There was also a surprising scoreless draw against Cape Verde to open group play in this tournament followed by four consecutive shutout victories to advance to the quarterfinals. Simon surpassed the previous record of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during a 3-0 blanking of Austria to open the knockout round Thursday. Famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga set the standard in 1990 with five consecutive clean sheets in his home World Cup. Simon's shutout streak started in 2022 in Qatar during a 2-1 loss to Japan to wrap up group play. He came into the Portugal g

Spain's defense has set a World Cup milestone by recording six consecutive clean sheets, with goalkeeper Unai Simon boasting a remarkable scoreless streak of 609 minutes. This impressive defensive tenure commenced following a group stage defeat to Japan in 2022. Now, with four successive shutout victories, Spain marches into the quarterfinals, driven by their exceptional defensive prowess.

Spain broke a World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet and goalkeeper Unai Simon extended his record shutout streak to 609 minutes after a 1-0 win over Portugal on Monday.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history, breaking a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory Thursday for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup. Simon hasn't allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. He broke the record set in 1990 by famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who recorded 517 straight scoreless minutes and five consecutive clean sheets in his home World Cup. The 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao mainstay isn't the most famous goalkeeper in this competition - or even on his own team - but Simon's outstanding play at the back of Spain's superb defence has launched him into the World Cup record books. Spain has yet to allow a goal at this World Cup, and its Basque backstop has only had to make four saves - none against Austria, which got none of its five shots on target. "I feel proud of him," Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said. "I feel like he is a member of my family. I'm v

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón etched his name into World Cup history on Thursday after setting a new record for the longest shutout streak, surpassing a mark that had stood for 36 years. The post Unai Simon becomes first goalkeeper to go 519 World Cup minutes without conceding appeared first on Vanguard News.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history

Simón, who plays his club football for La Liga side Athletic Bilbao, has kept clean sheets against Austria, Cape Verde, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia at the 2026 World Cup.

Spain are continuing their breathtaking form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 2010 World Cup champions recently locked horns with Austria during the Round of 32 in the tournament.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has etched his name into football history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest clean-sheet streak in FIFA World Cup finals matches.

Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón has made history by breaking Walter Zenga's 36-year clean-sheet record in World Cups, proudly holding the title for the longest stretch without conceding a goal at 519 minutes. His record surpasses legends such as Casillas and Buffon, showcasing the strength of Spain's defense as they prepare for a challenging matchup against Portugal, making it clear that nothing is getting through to their goal.

Unai Simón hasn't allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. He broke the record set in 1990 by famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who recorded 517 straight scoreless minutes and five consecutive clean sheets in his home World Cup.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history, breaking a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory Thursday for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history, breaking a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory Thursday for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup. Simón hasn't allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. The 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao mainstay isn't the most famous goalkeeper in this competition — or even on his own team — but Simón's outstanding play at the back of Spain's superb defense has launched him into the World Cup record books.