Unai Simón in the ideal setting | OneFootball

Unai Simón faces a defining test tonight, aiming to shut out England at Wembley at 20.45.

His only appearance there was the Euro 2020 semi-final, a 1-1 draw with Italy lost on penalties, and, according to El Correo, only Andoni Zubizarreta has kept a Spain clean sheet there, last in 1996.

Luis Enrique installed Simón ahead of David de Gea in 2020 despite heavy criticism. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Chelsea move opened the door at Athletic, where he has been undisputed since, and Luis de la Fuente kept faith after taking over.

He won the 2023-24 Zamora and the 2026 World Cup Golden Glove, conceding one goal and setting a 650-minute record. Luis Enrique has described him as top level.

Simón was pivotal in Spain’s titles in the 2023 Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup. FIFA still left him out of the best XI nominees, and he has emphasised the collective, crediting a defence led by Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, who were also overlooked.

Harry Kane arrives after a Bayern brace against Union Berlin to reach 101 Bundesliga goals in 98 games, with Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka in support.

Spain will wear a second star at Wembley as they chase what could be a second Nations League crown. London then hosts the Ballon d’Or on 26 October, with Simón the leading candidate for the Yashin Trophy against Emiliano Martínez, Thibaut Courtois, Matvey Safonov, David Raya and Joan García.

Source: El Correo

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