Spain Goalkeeper Unai Simón Sets Guinness World Record
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Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón etched his name into the record books after setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest clean-sheet streak in FIFA World Cup history.
Simón reached 519 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal as Spain defeated Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles to secure a place in the Round of 16.
The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper surpassed the previous record of 518 minutes, set by Italy’s Walter Zenga during the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Zenga’s streak ended in the semifinal when Argentina’s Claudio Caniggia scored in the second half.
Simón’s record spans multiple World Cup matches. During the current tournament, he has kept clean sheets against Austria, Cape Verde, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. His streak also includes the full 120 minutes of Spain’s Round of 16 match against Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which Spain lost in a penalty shootout, as well as the final 39 minutes of the group-stage defeat to Japan.
Spain had little trouble against Austria. The side coached by Luis de la Fuente dominated the match, led by a standout performance from Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal.
Oyarzabal opened the scoring just before halftime after connecting with a low cross from left-back Marc Cucurella. Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s lead with a header in the 66th minute, and Oyarzabal sealed the victory in the 89th minute after another assist from Cucurella.
Spain repeatedly threatened in attack, and only several outstanding saves by Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager prevented the margin from becoming even larger.
With the victory, Spain advances to face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the Round of 16 after Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in Dallas.
