Spain’s phenomenal numbers as 2026 world champions | OneFootball

Spain claimed their second world title on Sunday, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time. L'Équipe highlights the extraordinary defensive metrics that underpinned their run.

They conceded only one goal in the entire tournament, in a quarter-final that finished 2-1. No previous champions had allowed so few.

Spain were never behind at any stage of the 2026 World Cup. Only West Germany in 1990 and Italy in 1938 and 1982 had managed the same.

Luis de la Fuente’s side allowed just 2.3 expected goals across eight matches, with opponents taking only 46 shots. Goalkeeper Unai Simon made 10 saves in the tournament, fewer than Emiliano Martinez’s 11 in the final alone.

The unbeaten run now stands at 38 matches, the longest ever recorded by a European or South American side.

Impact off the bench proved decisive this year, with three winners scored by substitutes. Mikel Merino did so against Portugal in the last 16, then Belgium in the quarters, and Ferran Torres in the final versus Argentina.

Source: L'Équipe