ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain set a new FIFA World Cup defensive record after defeating Portugal 1-0 on Monday, recording a sixth consecutive clean sheet while goalkeeper Unai Simón extended his tournament-record scoreless streak to 609 minutes.La Roja became the first team in World Cup history to keep six straight clean sheets, surpassing the previous mark shared by Italy at the 1990 tournament and Switzerland across the 2006 and 2010 editions.Spain’s run began with a scoreless Round of 16 match against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup before continuing in the 2026 tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde and four consecutive shutout victories to reach the quarterfinals.Simón also extended his own World Cup record after surpassing Italy great Walter Zenga’s previous mark of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during Spain’s Round of 16 victory over Austria.The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was called into action against Portugal, making two first-half saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo before Spain secured victory through Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner.His finest stop came after João Félix’s header deflected into Ronaldo’s path, with Simón recovering quickly to produce an outstanding diving save. Portugal failed to register another shot on target after halftime.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised the collective effort behind the defensive milestone.”This record is the result of all of his teammates as well,” De la Fuente said. “Their solidarity, their generosity, their effort and their sacrifice. Everybody runs for one another.”Spain will carry its historic defensive record into the World Cup quarterfinals as it continues its bid for a second world title.ARLINGTON, Texas — Spain set a new FIFA World Cup defensive record after defeating Portugal 1-0 on Monday, recording a sixth consecutive clean sheet while goalkeeper Unai Simón extended his tournament-record scoreless streak to 609 minutes.La Roja became the first team in World Cup history to keep six straight clean sheets, surpassing the previous mark shared by Italy at the 1990 tournament and Switzerland across the 2006 and 2010 editions.Spain’s run began with a scoreless Round of 16 match against Morocco at the 2022 World Cup before continuing in the 2026 tournament with a goalless draw against Cape Verde and four consecutive shutout victories to reach the quarterfinals.Simón also extended his own World Cup record after surpassing Italy great Walter Zenga’s previous mark of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during Spain’s Round of 16 victory over Austria.The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was called into action against Portugal, making two first-half saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo before Spain secured victory through Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner.His finest stop came after João Félix’s header deflected into Ronaldo’s path, with Simón recovering quickly to produce an outstanding diving save. Portugal failed to register another shot on target after halftime.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised the collective effort behind the defensive milestone.”This record is the result of all of his teammates as well,” De la Fuente said. “Their solidarity, their generosity, their effort and their sacrifice. Everybody runs for one another.”Spain will carry its historic defensive record into the World Cup quarterfinals as it continues its bid for a second world title.
Spain sets World Cup clean-sheet record as Simón extends shutout streak
