Spain's lack of a star player in the mould of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo was a strength rather than a weakness at the World Cup, according to Unai Simon.
Simon clinched the Golden Glove after La Roja defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in Sunday's final, with substitute Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal.
Argentina became the first team in World Cup final history to fail to attempt a single shot in regulation time, and they ended the 120 minutes having only had two efforts.
Spain only conceded one goal throughout their eight games at the tournament, also allowing their opponents just 2.4 expected goals at an average of 0.3 xG per game – both are the best figures ever recorded by any team at a World Cup.
Simon was only forced into 10 saves throughout the tournament – one fewer than Argentina's Emiliano Martinez made in the final.
And, speaking to Spanish broadcaster La 1 after Spain's second World Cup success, Simon said La Roja's team mentality was crucial to their success.
"Analysing our rivals, we cannot reduce ourselves to big names," Simon said.
"Cristiano's Portugal, Mbappe's France, Messi's Argentina... they have those resources, they can make those players into Christ. We knew how to stay calm."
Asked about Spain's fearsome defensive record, he added: "It's not just the goalkeeper's merit. The whole team did a complete job.
"To win the World Cup, you have to play a top tournament throughout.
"That statistic will always be put on the goalkeeper, but you have to value the defensive work from top to bottom.
"If you want to win a World Cup, you have to be consistent. We have achieved it. We're very proud of these gladiators. We have been spectacular."
Boss Luis de la Fuente nominated Simon as Spain's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Arsenal's Premier League title-winning shot-stopper David Raya.
But the Athletic Club man feels Spain would have won the tournament whoever played in goal.
"In the end, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity," Simon said of De la Fuente. "Any of our goalkeepers were capable of winning the World Cup.
"With a different decision, we would have won it anyway!"
bigblaed
0
any country or club starter is a star lowkey
bigblaed
0
kounde
bigblaed
0
cubarsi
bigblaed
0
pedri
bigblaed
0
fool...wht about Lamine Yamal
returnofthesaith
0
So what about Lamine Yamal?
Makacdnsty
0
you're trying to make yourself righteous,you have Yamal and we all know it.congrats though
Yamal didn't shine like one
Nemceknsu
0
congratulations
Sage_offset
0
exactly if you have formidable defence that hardly allow opponents to penetrate a goalkeeper will be like in holiday. look at how average he became when playing for athletico Bilbao. conceding week in week out.
😂
vambekrsuz
0
Spain does not have a mega star yet, you're very correct.
Muubckpy
0
All they needed was a RED CARD
Yep versus switzerland.
pentiumIX
5
is yamal not a star
gigi30
4
in football u don't need stars to win trophies all u need is togetherness and team spirit
Fokbeklps
2
They got Rodri
Suukmopz
3
you're trying to make yourself righteous,you have Yamal and we all know it.congrats though
vaybelosuz
0
All they needed was a RED CARD
Yoyabceipr
1
well said . Spain don't need individual stars because all 26 players of Spain are world class stars. We'll play boys. Congratulations
Abdul0fficer
2
Nice speech especially about the goalkeeping department and that’s why I think it’s time for FIFA to change the format in awarding Golden Glove. How on earth a goalkeeper who doesn’t receive more than 10 shots on target for the entire tournament be awarded over someone who received more than 80 shots on target just because the 10shots man received lesser goals over the 80 shots goalkeeper. It’s time to look at amount of saves made and types of saves made than amount of goals conceived.
exactly if you have formidable defence that hardly allow opponents to penetrate a goalkeeper will be like in holiday. look at how average he became when playing for athletico Bilbao. conceding week in week out.
Brilliantmann
0
Ronaldo euro no world cup mbappe world cup no Euro. Lamine have both😂🤣
player of the century
deoabdmru
0
Ya they needed Ferrari Torres
Kihabcenuy
4
Nice speech especially about the goalkeeping department and that’s why I think it’s time for FIFA to change the format in awarding Golden Glove. How on earth a goalkeeper who doesn’t receive more than 10 shots on target for the entire tournament be awarded over someone who received more than 80 shots on target just because the 10shots man received lesser goals over the 80 shots goalkeeper. It’s time to look at amount of saves made and types of saves made than amount of goals conceived.
I agreed with u on this there's great bias on a criteria used in awarding glove award
badabckty
0
Yamal has already surpassed Ronaldo and mbappe 😂🤣
you are argenfifa fans lol cry more
Minadikmnu
1
That's how a team player team gives a speech. congratulations to the best team
Mikaelors
0
Yamal has already surpassed Ronaldo and mbappe 😂🤣
Ronaldo euro no world cup mbappe world cup no Euro. Lamine have both😂🤣
momenhuda
0
Yamal has already surpassed Ronaldo and mbappe 😂🤣
How??
somdeklmty
1
That's true, but tikitaka is a boring football to watch
hahahahaa so try to defeat him then
Bemablnpsz
1
yeah congrats I people have done well I deserves it am happy for you guys
Mikaelors
2
Yamal has already surpassed Ronaldo and mbappe 😂🤣
Jehblmnpuz
2
That's true, but tikitaka is a boring football to watch
Wusdimnops
5
Nice speech especially about the goalkeeping department and that’s why I think it’s time for FIFA to change the format in awarding Golden Glove. How on earth a goalkeeper who doesn’t receive more than 10 shots on target for the entire tournament be awarded over someone who received more than 80 shots on target just because the 10shots man received lesser goals over the 80 shots goalkeeper. It’s time to look at amount of saves made and types of saves made than amount of goals conceived.
EmeraldJ
4
You said the truth. Lamine Yamal IS NOT YET A STAR! Message gotten!
sodcltyz
2
Anytime Barca dominate the Spanish team at a World Cup final, they end up winning it. The winning goal is also always scored by a Barca player.
BarcaTroll77
0
🐐 ❌️ 👻 ✅️
vitinha23
4
congratulations 🔥🔥🔥
gm11
4
True but he needed 10 other players tho to win.