La Roja sets record with 6th clean sheet, as Simon extends his shutout streak

Spain broke a World Cup record with its sixth consecutive clean sheet and goalkeeper Unai Simon extended his record for the tournament's longest scoreless streak to 609 minutes in Monday's 1-0 win over Portugal.

La Roja broke the tie with Italy (1990) and Switzerland (2006-10) for the most consecutive World Cup matches without allowing a goal. Spain's streak began with a 0-0 draw in the round of 16 in 2022, when Morocco advanced after a penalty shootout.

There was also a surprising scoreless draw against Cape Verde in this World Cup's Group H opener. That was followed by four consecutive shutout victories, as Spain advanced into the quarterfinals.

Simon surpassed the previous record of 517 consecutive scoreless minutes during his side's 3-0 round-of-32 defeat of Austria on July 2. Famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga set the standard in 1990 with five consecutive clean sheets at his home World Cup.

Simon's World Cup journey began in Qatar in 2022, after he started in Spain's 7-0 group-stage victory over Costa Rica.

He came into the Portugal game having made only four saves in this World Cup — Austria had no shots on target — and in Dallas on Monday, Simon had to make two saves in the first half against Portugal, both denying Cristiano Ronaldo.

The second of those saves was an impressive diving stop, when he was still in midair, reaching back to grab the ball with both hands. Ronaldo got that opportunity after teammate Joao Felix's header bounced back into play off the shoulder of the 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao keeper, who didn't face a shot on target after halftime.

Simon hasn't surrendered an international goal since a 2-2 draw with Turkiye in a World Cup qualifier in November.

"This record is thanks to all of his teammates as well," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.

"Their solidarity, their generosity, their effort, their sacrifice. Everybody runs for one another."

De la Fuente singled out Lamine Yamal's performance in Monday's 1-0 victory over Portugal for particular praise, saying it was one of the most important of the 18-year-old's burgeoning career, as the European champion advanced into the World Cup quarterfinals.

"For me, Lamine has played one of the most important matches of his life," De la Fuente said.

"Beyond whether he was brilliant or not, for me, it has been one of the matches that will help him grow the most."

Yamal arrived at the World Cup managing a troublesome hamstring injury and started Spain's campaign on the bench, as it was held to that goalless draw by Cape Verde.

He returned to the starting lineup after that shock result and scored once in Spain's 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

Against Portugal, the Barcelona forward had three attempts on goal, including two on target, helping Spain maintain pressure before Mikel Merino's late winner.

De la Fuente suggested that the physical toll of trying to stop Yamal may have contributed to Portugal defender Nuno Mendes' injury in the 56th minute, when he was forced off and replaced by Nelson Semedo.

"Lamine did a spectacular job. He suffered for the team, he defended for the team. When he had the ball, he always created doubt and uncertainty for the opponent. He generated a lot of fear," De la Fuente said.

"We still need Lamine, in this World Cup, to keep growing and delivering these kinds of performances," he added.