Unai Simon makes history with World Cup record for minutes without conceding | OneFootball

Unai Simon has set a World Cup record for consecutive minutes without conceding, reaching 519 as Spain beat Austria 3-0 in the round of 32 on Thursday. The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper extended La Roja's flawless defensive run at this tournament.

The sequence began at Qatar 2022. Since Ao Tanaka's 51st-minute strike in Japan's 2-1 win over Spain in the group stage, the 29-year-old has not been beaten. Spain then drew 0-0 with Morocco in the last 16 before losing 3-0 on penalties, which do not count.

Spain have yet to concede in 2026, drawing 0-0 with Cape Verde then defeating Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Uruguay 1-0, before the Austria victory over Ralf Rangnick's side. During that win, Simon moved beyond Walter Zenga's 517-minute mark that had stood since 1990.

In total, the run includes 39 minutes against Japan and 120 against Morocco in 2022, followed by four 90-minute outings versus Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria in 2026. On Thursday he also eclipsed Iker Casillas on 476 and Peter Shilton on 500.

Spain will face Croatia or Portugal in the last 16.

Source: L'Équipe