Spain and the Athletic Club keeper
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 9:55 am
3. Simon solidifies case as Spain’s No. 1
Unai Simon is now the undisputed No. 1 for showed just why he is so trusted by Luis Enrique with a commanding performance against Germany.
Simon is backed up by Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and Brentford‘s David Raya in Qatar, with neither Manchester United‘s David de Gea or Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga being selected by Enrique. But despite the big reputations of De Gea and Kepa, their patchy form at club level has opened the door for Simon to a worthy successor to the spot that was held for so long by Iker Casillas.
Against Germany, Simon made crucial saves, collected crosses in packed penalty areas and was quick and decisive with his distribution. With all four of his main rivals playing in the Premier League, don’t be telegram database surprised if Simon ends up there soon too.
Player ratings
Spain: Simon 7; Carvajal 6, Rodri 6, Laporte 6, Jordi Alba 7; Busquets 6; Pedri 7, Gavi 6; Olmo 8, Asensio 6, Torres 6.
Subs: Morata 7, Koke 6, Williams 6, Balde 6.
Germany: Neuer 7; Kehrer 6, Sule 6, Rudiger 7, Raum 6; Kimmich 6, Goretzka 7; Musiala 6, Gundogan 6, Gnabry 5; Muller 5.
Subs: Fullkrug 7, Kostermn 6, Sane 6, Hofman , Schlotterbeck 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Dani Olmo, Spain.
The RB Leipzig forward was the creative force for Spain and he instigated the move which led to the Jordi Alba cross from which Morata scored. Olmo’s vision and clever movement of the ball was a joy to watch.
WORST: Serge Gnabry, Germany.
A close call between him and Muller and it didn’t go unnoticed that Germany became more threatening after the two Bayern forwards were substituted.
Unai Simon is now the undisputed No. 1 for showed just why he is so trusted by Luis Enrique with a commanding performance against Germany.
Simon is backed up by Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and Brentford‘s David Raya in Qatar, with neither Manchester United‘s David de Gea or Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga being selected by Enrique. But despite the big reputations of De Gea and Kepa, their patchy form at club level has opened the door for Simon to a worthy successor to the spot that was held for so long by Iker Casillas.
Against Germany, Simon made crucial saves, collected crosses in packed penalty areas and was quick and decisive with his distribution. With all four of his main rivals playing in the Premier League, don’t be telegram database surprised if Simon ends up there soon too.
Player ratings
Spain: Simon 7; Carvajal 6, Rodri 6, Laporte 6, Jordi Alba 7; Busquets 6; Pedri 7, Gavi 6; Olmo 8, Asensio 6, Torres 6.
Subs: Morata 7, Koke 6, Williams 6, Balde 6.
Germany: Neuer 7; Kehrer 6, Sule 6, Rudiger 7, Raum 6; Kimmich 6, Goretzka 7; Musiala 6, Gundogan 6, Gnabry 5; Muller 5.
Subs: Fullkrug 7, Kostermn 6, Sane 6, Hofman , Schlotterbeck 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Dani Olmo, Spain.
The RB Leipzig forward was the creative force for Spain and he instigated the move which led to the Jordi Alba cross from which Morata scored. Olmo’s vision and clever movement of the ball was a joy to watch.
WORST: Serge Gnabry, Germany.
A close call between him and Muller and it didn’t go unnoticed that Germany became more threatening after the two Bayern forwards were substituted.