Unai Simón Golden Glove World Cup 2026: 7 Clean Sheets, 1 Goal Conceded
Updated 19 July 2026 — Simón named tournament's best goalkeeper after Spain's title win.
Unai Simón won the Golden Glove at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Spain's No.1 played every minute of the champions' run, kept seven clean sheets in eight matches, and conceded only once — in the 2–1 quarter-final win over Belgium.
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Award | Golden Glove |
| Matches | 8 (every minute) |
| Clean sheets | 7 |
| Goals conceded | 1 |
| Shutout streak | 650 consecutive minutes |
| Final | Spain 1–0 Argentina (AET) — clean sheet |
Awards hub: World Cup 2026 awards · Champions: World Cup 2026.
How Simón Won the Golden Glove
Spain's defensive structure — Laporte, Cubarsí, Cucurella, Porro, plus Rodri screening — made Simón's job look simple. It wasn't. He still had to:
- Sweep behind a high line against France in the semi-final (2–0)
- Deny Messi in the opening stages of the final
- Organise a packed box while Argentina chased the game with 10 men in extra time
The only goal Spain conceded in the entire tournament came from Belgium in the last eight. From that point through the final, Simón's net stayed untouched.
Clean Sheet Timeline
| Round | Opponent | Score | Clean sheet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group / R32 path | Multiple | Wins | Yes (streak building) |
| Quarter-final | Belgium | 2–1 | No — only goal conceded |
| Semi-final | France | 2–0 | Yes |
| Final | Argentina | 1–0 AET | Yes |
Spain finished the World Cup with the tournament's best defensive record. Full path: Spain World Cup 2026 results.
Final vs Argentina — Simón vs Messi
In the World Cup 2026 final, Simón raced off his line early to clear a through ball intended for Messi and kept a clean sheet across 120 minutes. Opposite him, Emiliano Martínez made a flood of saves — but Torres' 106' strike decided the trophy.
Golden Glove Context
The Golden Glove goes to the tournament's outstanding goalkeeper. Recent winners include Martínez (2022). Simón's 2026 case was overwhelming: volume of shutouts, minutes played, and a champions' medal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Golden Glove at World Cup 2026?
Unai Simón (Spain).
How many clean sheets did Unai Simón have?
Seven in eight matches.
How many goals did Spain concede in World Cup 2026?
One — against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
Did Unai Simón play every game?
Yes — every minute of Spain's eight World Cup matches.
Quem ganhou a Luva de Ouro da Copa 2026?
Unai Simón, goleiro da Espanha campeã.
Was Martínez better in the final?
Martínez made more saves in the final itself, but Simón won the tournament Golden Glove on the full body of work — and kept a clean sheet as Spain lifted the trophy.