Unai Simon, Spain and Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper, faces another major test as La Roja visit England at Wembley, with the match carrying a historic challenge for Spanish goalkeepers.
Simon will look to keep England from scoring and potentially join Andoni Zubizarreta in an exclusive part of Spain’s Wembley history.
Spain Goalkeepers’ History at Wembley
Spain are set to play their 10th match against England at Wembley, in addition to another meeting between the teams in the Euro 2021 semifinal.
Despite several outstanding Spanish goalkeepers appearing at the iconic stadium, only one has completed a full match against England at Wembley without conceding.
Zubizarreta Holds the Unique Record
Andoni Zubizarreta achieved the feat during the Euro 1996 quarterfinal, when he kept England scoreless in a match that ended 0-0.
Spain eventually exited the tournament after losing the penalty shootout, despite Zubizarreta keeping a clean sheet throughout the match.
Spain’s Notable Goalkeepers at Wembley
Several of Spain’s prominent goalkeepers have appeared against England at Wembley over the years.
The list includes Ramallets, Iribar, Sadurni, Arconada, Reina, David de Gea and Iker Casillas. However, none managed to repeat Zubizarreta’s feat of completing a full match at Wembley against England without conceding.
Simon now has the opportunity to add his name to that unique part of Spanish football history.
Unai Simon’s Spain Statistics
Simon enters the match with impressive numbers for the Spanish national team, having established himself as one of the country’s leading goalkeepers in recent years.
The Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper has kept 49 clean sheets in 66 international appearances for Spain.
Those figures underline his record at international level and his ability to perform in matches against high-level opponents.
Simon’s World Cup Clean-Sheet Record
Simon also owns an impressive clean-sheet statistic at the World Cup.
The Spanish goalkeeper went 650 minutes without conceding across the 2022 and 2026 World Cup editions, placing him among the notable goalkeeping records in the tournament.
Can Simon Match Zubizarreta’s Wembley Achievement?
Simon now faces another demanding assignment at Wembley as he attempts to keep England scoreless.
If he succeeds, the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper would join Zubizarreta as only the second Spanish goalkeeper to complete a full match against England at Wembley without conceding.
The match therefore offers Simon another opportunity to add a notable achievement to his international career while facing one of Europe’s strongest national teams at one of football’s most historic venues.
How many clean sheets does Unai Simon have for Spain?
Unai Simon has kept 49 clean sheets in 66 international appearances for Spain.
Who is the only Spanish goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet against England at Wembley?
Andoni Zubizarreta is the only Spanish goalkeeper to complete a full match against England at Wembley without conceding.
When did Zubizarreta achieve the feat?
He achieved it in the Euro 1996 quarterfinal, which ended in a goalless draw.
How long did Simon keep clean sheets at the World Cup?
Simon went 650 minutes without conceding across the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Which club does Unai Simon play for?
Unai Simon plays for Athletic Bilbao and represents Spain at international level.
