Defending the goal: Spain's goal in the decisive match

Tonight, the Spanish team will enter the decisive match to win tickets to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, in the context of many doubts about their performance in the group stage, but there are also certainties. We return to the glass theory, with some thinking it is still full, while others thinking it is empty. Not many people have talked about the team's clean sheet record, when for the first time in history, they entered the knockout round without conceding a single goal. Not only that, goalkeeper Unai Simón did not have to intervene too much, except for a spectacular save against Cabo Verde. While we are speculating about Lamine Yamal's recovery, and knowing that Nico Williams, Yéremy Pino and Víctor Muñoz did not have much to contribute, it is worth recognizing the work of the two main centre-backs in the last three matches, Cubarsí and Laporte, as well as what the defenders have shown. Llorente, Porro and Cucurella did their job well; and it is impossible not to mention the defensive work of players like Rodri, from whom we now demand pace that he never had, without looking at the overall arrangement that his presence brings. Rodri is the Spanish player with the most passes, with 344, and the one who has run the most with 34.47 km. Therefore, if Spain can keep a clean sheet today, they will have completed half the job, the rest will go to more talented players.

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