Spain sets World Cup clean‑sheet record and reaches quarter‑finals

Spain defeated Portugal 1‑0 in the round‑of‑16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, with Mikel Merino scoring in the 90+1 minute. The victory moved La Roja into the quarter‑finals for the first time in 16 years and sparked a wave of reactions – coach Luis de la Fuente praised the team's depth, former president Kolinda Grabar‑Kitarović posted a congratulatory message, and singer Alejandro Sanz celebrated the win on Instagram.

The match also gave Spain a new World Cup defensive milestone. Goalkeeper Unai Simón kept a clean sheet for the sixth consecutive tournament match, extending his personal run to 609 minutes and surpassing the previous records held by Italy’s Walter Zenga (517 minutes) and Spain’s Iker Casillas. The team’s overall defence now holds the tournament record for the longest stretch without conceding – 609 minutes, overtaking Switzerland’s 559‑minute mark from 1994‑2010. Spain will face Belgium in the quarter‑finals in Los Angeles.

The record, confirmed by Guinness World Records, highlights Spain’s solid defensive system and positions the side as a strong contender for the title.