Unai Simón’s remarkable run without conceding a goal at the FIFA World Cup came to an end during the quarterfinals against Belgium, where he had maintained a record 650-minute scoreless streak.
Why it matters: Simón's streak is the longest in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing previous records and marking a historic achievement for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Simón's streak of 650 minutes without conceding began during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His record-breaking run ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored for Belgium in the 41st minute of their quarterfinal match.
This goal marked the first time Spain conceded in the 2026 tournament, ending their six-match clean sheet streak.
Driving the news: Belgium's De Ketelaere equalized in the quarterfinal match after Fabián Ruiz had put Spain ahead just 11 minutes earlier.
Ruiz scored in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a rebound from a shot by Dani Olmo that was initially saved by Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
De Ketelaere's goal leveled the match at 1-1 and ended Simón's impressive run without conceding.
This quarterfinal match took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on July 10, 2026.
State of play: Spain entered the quarterfinals with an impeccable defensive record, having not conceded a single goal throughout the tournament until that point.
Before facing Belgium, Spain shut out Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay in the group stage.
In the knockout rounds, they continued their defensive prowess with clean sheets against Austria and Portugal.
Simón's streak had already surpassed Iker Casillas' previous record of 476 minutes without conceding, marking him as Spain's top goalkeeper in World Cup history.
The big picture: The match against Belgium highlighted both Spain's defensive strength and the challenges they faced in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Simón's streak of 650 minutes included matches from both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
His record eclipsed the previous men's World Cup record of 517 minutes set by Italy's Walter Zenga in 1990.
Simón's clean sheet run had begun after Japan's Ao Tanaka scored against him in a group stage match on December 1, 2022.
What they're saying: The match drew reactions from players and coaches alike, emphasizing the significance of Simón's achievement.
"It was a tough match, but we showed our resilience," said De Ketelaere after the game.
Spain coach Luis De La Fuente praised Simón's performance, stating, "He has been a wall for us throughout this tournament. His record is a tremendous achievement."
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne noted the importance of scoring first against a team with such a strong defense.
By the numbers: Simón's record-setting streak is a remarkable feat in World Cup history.
Simón's 650 minutes without conceding included 270 minutes in the 2026 group stage and 180 minutes in knockout matches.
His streak lasted from the 51st minute of the Japan match in 2022 until De Ketelaere's goal in 2026.
Simón faced only two shots in the first half of the quarterfinal match against Belgium.
Between the lines: The dynamics of the match showcased the intensity of World Cup competition.
Spain's defense had been formidable, but Belgium's attacking strategy proved effective in breaking through.
Before De Ketelaere's goal, Belgium struggled to create strong scoring opportunities.
Simón's performance was a key factor in Spain's success leading up to the quarterfinals.
What's next: The outcome of this match sets the stage for Spain's future in the tournament.
The winner of the quarterfinal match advanced to face tournament favorite France in the semifinals.
Spain's defensive strategy will be examined moving forward, especially after conceding their first goal.
Simón will look to rebound from this setback as Spain prepares for future challenges in international competitions.