Athletic’s 40-year wait for a World Cup goalscorer | OneFootball

Athletic’s 40-year wait for a World Cup goalscorer could end this summer, with Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams in Spain and Iñaki Williams a possibility for Ghana.

El Correo notes Spain named their list on Monday, including Unai Simón, Laporte and Nico, all viewed by Luis de la Fuente as starters. Nico’s fitness is being watched after muscle problems and pubalgia this year.

From 15 June at 18:00, Spain face Cabo Verde at the Mercedes-Benz in Atlanta, where Laporte and Nico begin the chase. On 17 June, if selected, Iñaki could do likewise for Ghana against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto. Ghana’s squad is due on 1 June under coach Carlos Queiroz.

Since Mexico 86 no Athletic outfield player has scored. Genar Andrinua and Rafa Alkorta tried in 1990, Julen Guerrero in 1994, then Alkorta, Guerrero and Joseba Etxeberria in 1998.

Fernando Llorente and Javi Martínez did not score in 2010, no one travelled in 2014 and Kepa Arrizabalaga was the 2018 representative. In 2022 Nico was an impact option for Luis Enrique, while Iñaki supplied an assist after a rebound from his own miss.

The last to do it was Andoni Goikoetxea, a penalty in the 1-5 comeback against Denmark at Mexico 86. Julio Salinas also scored in the group win over Northern Ireland, and Spain later went out to Belgium on penalties after Señor cancelled Ceulemans in the 85th minute.

Only four Athletic players have scored at World Cups. José Iraragorri struck twice against Brazil in 1934, and Telmo Zarra leads the club with four in 1950, against the United States, Chile, England and Sweden. No Athletic player has made a World Cup team of the tournament, though Nico did so at the last Euros and was MVP of the final against England, scoring as well.

Source: El Correo