Unai Simón's Golden Glove: a single goal conceded in the entire World Cup
Unai Simón has been named best goalkeeper of the 2026 World Cup. The Athletic Club keeper conceded a single goal in Spain's eight matches —Belgium's in the quarters— and kept a clean sheet on seven occasions, including the final. He was the wall on which La Roja built their second star. We review his perfect tournament.
Behind every great team there is usually a great goalkeeper, and Spain had the best of the 2026 World Cup. Unai Simón won the Golden Glove as the tournament's top keeper with numbers hard to improve on: a single goal conceded in eight matches and seven clean sheets, including the semi-final against France and the final against Argentina.
The Athletic Club keeper was far more than a spectator of the collective solidity. When Spain suffered, he was there: assured in the air, brave off his line and decisive with saves at the right moments. In the final against Argentina, with the Albiceleste chasing the heroics, his composure helped the 0-0 hold until extra time, where Ferran Torres settled it.
His only goal against was Belgium's in the quarters, in the one match where La Roja's goal was breached all tournament. The rest was a padlock. That consistency, together with his leadership in the last line, earned him an individual award that crowns a flawless tournament.
Beyond the saves, Unai Simón also left one of the World Cup's most beautiful images when, after the final, he went one by one to console the Argentine players. Champion, best goalkeeper and a model of sportsmanship. See his profile and the tournament's goalkeeping data on our site.