David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove with Arsenal. Joan Garcia won the Zamora Trophy as La Liga's best keeper at Barcelona. Neither of them started for Spain in Monday's shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. Luis de la Fuente trusted Unai Simon instead, and the result speaks for itself.
Simon conceded 54 goals across 37 games for Athletic Bilbao this season, with just 6 clean sheets. He was Spain's starter at Qatar 2022 and Euro 2024, which is exactly why de la Fuente refuses to drop him. Loyalty over form, even against FIFA's 72nd-ranked nation.
Cape Verde's 40-year-old Vozinha put on a masterclass with seven saves at the other end. Spain were held by tournament debutants. Two of Europe's three best goalkeepers sat on the bench watching. If La Roja are knocked out early, the country will know exactly who to blame, and which two names they were never given.
David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove with Arsenal. Joan Garcia won the Zamora Trophy as La Liga's best keeper at Barcelona. Neither of them started for Spain in Monday's shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. Luis de la Fuente trusted Unai Simon instead, and the result speaks for itself.
Simon conceded 54 goals across 37 games for Athletic Bilbao this season, with just 6 clean sheets. He was Spain's starter at Qatar 2022 and Euro 2024, which is exactly why de la Fuente refuses to drop him. Loyalty over form, even against FIFA's 72nd-ranked nation.
Cape Verde's 40-year-old Vozinha put on a masterclass with seven saves at the other end. Spain were held by tournament debutants. Two of Europe's three best goalkeepers sat on the bench watching. If La Roja are knocked out early, the country will know exactly who to blame, and which two names they were never given.
