Spain has done something no team in World Cup history has ever managed. Six matches, zero goals conceded, 609 minutes of football without the ball hitting the back of their net. The previous record of 559 consecutive World Cup minutes without conceding, held by Switzerland, is now firmly in the rearview mirror.
As Spain prepares to face Belgium in the quarterfinals, the question has shifted from “can they win it?” to something far more audacious: can they become the first team to lift the trophy without conceding a single goal?
The defensive record in context
To appreciate how absurd this streak is, consider the math. The 2026 World Cup expanded to 48 teams, meaning more matches, more opponents, and more chances for even the best defenses to crack. Spain has navigated that gauntlet without so much as a blemish on the scoresheet.
They are the only team remaining in the tournament that hasn’t conceded. Not one goal from open play. Not one from a set piece. Not one from a penalty. Clean sheets across the board, including a victory over Portugal, a team not exactly known for lacking firepower.
