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SportsUnai Simón 88 Minutes from World Cup Clean Sheet Record
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Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón is on the verge of breaking Walter Zenga's World Cup record for the longest streak without conceding a goal, needing just 88 more minutes. The Athletic Bilbao star has started all three group matches for Spain against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, with minimal work due to a strong defense led by Aymeric Laporte. The article dismisses pre-tournament debate over whether Simón or Joan García should start, noting coach Luis de la Fuente's unwavering confidence in Simón, who was key in winning the European Championship and Nations League. The real test begins in the knockout stage, with Spain facing Austria in the round of 32 on Thursday in Los Angeles.
Source report
Updated on 30/06/2026 07:00 CEST
Unai Simón has a golden opportunity to go down in World Cup history. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper is 88 minutes away from surpassing Walter Zenga's record for accumulated time without conceding a goal in a World Cup. Logically, the Alavés native cannot do it alone; he will need the help of the entire team against Austria in the round of 32 clash taking place this Thursday.
A Fictitious Debate
As always happens when a Real Madrid or Barcelona player is involved, before the tournament there was debate over whether the starter should be the one from Murgia or Joan García, especially since Luis de la Fuente called up the Catalan for friendlies against Serbia and Egypt and later included him in the final squad for the American tournament, with David Raya completing the lineup.
It was a fictitious debate. The Rioja native has always had absolute confidence in the goalkeeper who was decisive in winning the European Championship and the Nations League. As expected, he placed him as the starter in:
- The first match against Cape Verde
- The following two against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay
The desire for a change in the national team's goalkeeping hierarchy was more wishful thinking than reality.
The Road Ahead
Unai hasn't had too much work in the group stage, but the real World Cup begins with the knockout rounds. The defense, with Aymeric Laporte acting as leader, is La Roja's standout line, a factor that works in the goalkeeper's favor to make history in Los Angeles.
Source
FútbolWestern
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Unai Simón Nears World Cup Clean Sheet Record Amid Spain's 2026 Run