Unai Simón, goalkeeper for Athletic Club de Bilbao, continues making history with the Spanish national team. This past Sunday, at Mestalla, he secured his third penalty shootout victory with La Roja, placing him just one win away from matching Iker Casillas' record of four shootout victories.

Penalty shootouts played by Spain

Unai Simón has become one of the most important players in penalty shootouts for Spain. He has participated in the last five shootouts, starting with the Euro 2020, where he saved two penalties and helped Spain beat Switzerland 3-1. However, in the semifinals of the same tournament, Italy defeated La Roja 4-2 in a shootout.

In the 2023 Nations League, Simón redeemed himself by saving two penalties in the final against Croatia, allowing Spain to win 5-4. Additionally, in the current edition of the 2025 Nations League, Simón once again played a key role, saving a penalty in the shootout against Netherlands, which led Spain to a 5-4 victory.

Iker Casillas' legacy

Iker Casillas, the second player with the most appearances for Spain (167), was the first to set a record in this area. Casillas stood out in penalty shootouts, playing a key role in Spain's victories in the 2008 European Championship against Italy and the 2013 Confederations Cup against the same team.

If Unai Simón continues his positive streak, he could soon surpass Casillas and become the most successful goalkeeper in Spanish national team penalty shootout history.