Unai Simon, Spain extend World Cup record for clean sheets
For the first time since 2010 Spain are on to the quarterfinals of the World Cup after beating Portugal in the round of 16 and keeping another clean sheet.
There was a time where people started to doubt this Spain side. After drawing their opening match of the World Cup against Cabo Verde people started to wonder if this side was the same side that won the Euros two years ago. Things have changed since then.
Clean as a whistle
The 0-0 group stage draw may have been a bit of a blow to start the tournament, but it was a sign of things to come, at least in the defensive third of the pitch. They may not have won that game, but they kept a clean sheet starting a trend that would stretch all the into the quarterfinals.
Spain are chasing a second World Cup star, but they have already achieved history during this campaign. Unai Simon and Spain have yet to concede a goal in six matches. Simon broke Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga’s record of five straight (517 minutes) World Cup clean sheets set back in 1990.
It’s a streak that stretches back to the Qatar World Cup. Since the Japan match in the group stages. Since then it has been 609 minutes of clean sheet defending for Spain and their brick wall of a goalkeeper. Simon had a couple of fantastic saves in the first half against Portugal to keep the streak alive. The first came on a shot from a tight angle by Cristiano Ronaldo, and then he had a double save on Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo’a rebound attempt.
US or Belgium next
Italy started the 1990 World Cup campaign in fine fashion, but their only goal they conceded in the entire tournament ended up costing them. They allowed a 67th minute equalizer to Claudio Paul Caniggia and the match went to extra time and eventually a shootout. Argentina scored each of their four penalties and Aldo Serena missed the final penalty to send Italy crashing out of the semis.
Cristiano Ronaldo's reaction to the effort from Unai Simón 👀 pic.twitter.com/epqnsUXJeW
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 6, 2026
After the heartbreak in the semis, Italy went on to win the third place match, but Spain are looking to avoid that same fate this year. They are back in the quarters for the first time since 2010 when the won the World Cup and are eyeing a second title come mid July.
Spain will take their clean sheet to the quarters where they will play the winner of the USA vs. Belgium game. Simon will be intent on keeping his clean sheet record as he looks a shoe in for the Golden Glove Award, but the priority will be advancing to the next round of the tournament.
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