Spain goalkeeper breaks 36-year-old World Cup record

Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Many are already calling this year's World Cup the goalkeepers' World Cup. Just as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane are running for goal scoring records, goalkeepers from various teams are also making their names on the record books one after another for keeping goals. Unai Simon has added his name to that list again. Simon set a record in Spain's 3-0 win over Austria. In this match, the Spanish goalkeeper set a new record for keeping a clean sheet for the longest time in World Cup history without conceding a goal. Simon has not conceded a goal in the World Cup for 519 consecutive minutes. In doing so, he broke the 36-year-old record of Italian legend Walter Zenger. Zenger set a world record of 517 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal in the 1990 World Cup. That was the record for the longest clean sheet by a goalkeeper in World Cup history. This time, Simon has taken the throne. Third on the list is England's legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton. He went 500 minutes without conceding a goal.

Simon's record-breaking journey began at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After Ao Tanaka's goal in the 51st minute against Japan in the group stage, he did not concede another goal. After that, he remained unbeaten for the rest of that match, 120 minutes of the last 16 against Morocco, and the entire match against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Austria in the 2026 World Cup for 519 consecutive minutes. Simon also created new history for Spain. Until now, the record for the longest consecutive time without conceding a goal in a World Cup for the country was held by legendary Iker Casillas, who had a record of 477 minutes without conceding a goal.

That feat, which he achieved in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, is now in the past. Simon has not only surpassed Casillas, but has also risen to the top of World Cup history. Just as Spain's attack has attracted attention in the World Cup, defense has become a major foundation for their success. And Simon, who was the last reliable defender, proved that the goalkeeper's determination is equally important if the team is to dream of winning the title.