Unai Simón is one away from the all-time record for goals scored in the league
According to Championat.
Context
Unai Simón, goalkeeper for the Selección de España, stood out in the 2026 World Cup final, where he kept the goal clean against Argentina. With 9 clean sheets in World Cups, he now sits third on the all-time list, just behind Barthez and Shilton. His performance is crucial to the Selección's season, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Why this matters
Unai Simón's performance in the 2026 World Cup final not only guaranteed Spain's victory but also solidified his position as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the competition. With 9 clean sheets, he is now just one game away from equaling the all-time record of 10 held by Fabien Barthez and Peter Shilton. This achievement highlights Simón's importance for the Selección and his relevance for the team's future in the 2026 World Cup.
Main conclusions
- Unai Simón is one away from the all-time record for goals to zero in.
- Unai Simón scored the goal in the 2026 World Cup final and was one game away from equaling the absolute record for goals scored in World Cups.
- Симон — в шаге от повторения исторического вратарского рекорда на ЧМ.
Unai Simón produced another display of enormous solidity in goal for the Spanish team and finished without conceding a goal in the 2026 World Cup final, won by Spain against Argentina 1-0 after extra time. With this “zero goal”, the La Roja goalkeeper isolated himself in historic third place in the ranking of games without conceding goals in the final stages of World Cups.
According to the tournament's records, Simón now has 9 matches without conceding in 12 matches played in the World Cup, 6 of which took place in the 2026 edition. Ahead of him are just two legendary names: the Frenchman Fabien Barthez and the Englishman Peter Shilton, both with 10 World Cup matches without conceding a goal, in 17 matches played. Barthez and Shilton's record constitutes the historic ceiling of the competition and is therefore just one game away for the Spanish international.
The feat achieved in the decision against Argentina allowed Simón to surpass a group of six goalkeepers who have recorded 8 “goals to zero” in the history of the World Cup. They are: Hugo Lloris (France), with 8 in 20 games; Thibaut Courtois (Belgium), 8 in 21; Cláudio Taffarel (Brazil), 8 out of 18; Émerson Leão (Brazil), 8 out of 14; Sepp Maier (Germany), 8 out of 18; and Jan Jongbloed (Netherlands), 8 out of 12. This is a reference batch on the world stage, which further highlights the scope of the Spanish number 1's performance.
The record of “zero goals” in the World Cup aggregates the games played over the various editions by each goalkeeper and is an indicator of defensive consistency at the highest level. By registering 6 matches without conceding a goal in this edition, Simón consolidated a remarkable cycle and placed himself a few steps away from equaling the absolute record of Barthez and Shilton — something that he could pursue in his next appearance in the final stages.
For Spain, the final victory against Argentina (1-0, after extra time) also reinforces the importance of the defensive balance displayed throughout the tournament. In the individual chapter, Unai Simón ends the 2026 World Cup in the spotlight, with a record that places him among the historic elite of goalkeepers on the biggest stage of world football and leaves open the possibility of writing a new record page in future campaigns.
What happens next
As the season progresses, the expectation is that Unai Simón will continue to be a fundamental player in Spain's goal, especially with the challenges that lie ahead in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. His performance could influence the team's confidence and its path in future competitions. Furthermore, the pressure to equal or surpass the goalscoring record may motivate him to maintain a high level of performance.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Spain and Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final?
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time.
How many clean sheets does Unai Simón have in the World Cup?
Unai Simón has 9 clean sheets in 12 matches played in the World Cup.
Who are the goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in World Cup history?
The goalkeepers with the most clean sheets are Fabien Barthez and Peter Shilton, both with 10 games.
How Spain's victory impacted the classification
history of Unai Simón?
With the victory, Unai Simón isolated himself in the historic third place in the ranking of games without conceding goals in the final stages of World Championships.
What is the next tournament the Spanish team will compete in after the 2026 World Cup?
The next tournament in which the Spanish team will compete is the 2026 World Cup.