Unai Simon sets World Cup invincibility mark, says record reflects Spain not him | OneFootball

Unai Simon has set a World Cup goalkeeping invincibility record and is yet to concede, with Spain meeting Belgium in the quarter-final at 21:00 on Friday.

Before the tournament there was talk of Joan Garcia or David Raya starting, yet Luis de la Fuente kept faith with Simon. L'Équipe notes that the call has since been borne out.

He passed Walter Zenga’s mark against Austria in the round of 32, then pushed it to 609 minutes. Simon played down the figures, saying the run reflects the team, and noted two saves in the 1-0 win over Portugal.

De la Fuente has worked with him since he was 16 and speaks of a near-familial bond. Under Luis Enrique he also advanced quietly, including a Champions League 0-0 at Paris Saint-Germain that reopened memories of earlier criticism.

Anchored at Athletic, he is in his seventh season as first choice and has no release clause. His parents serve in the Guardia Civil and the Ertzaina, and Marcelino hails his diligence, stability and imposing style.

Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois has praised Simon’s 1.90m presence, distribution and reflexes. Marcelino says he is now more consistent and confident, underlined by the Zamora trophy after conceding 33 goals in 2023-24.

Tonight he will try to extend the streak. He usually plays chess with Dani Olmo en route to the stadium, relaxes with online games in a hyperbaric chamber, and says golf in Chattanooga was simply a welcome escape.

Source: L'Équipe