As Spain prepares to chase a second FIFA World Cup title at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, one major question remains unanswered: who will start in goal for La Roja?
Sixteen years have passed since Spain defeated the Netherlands to lift the 2010 World Cup trophy. Now, the reigning European champions head into another global challenge with a squad overflowing with talent—but uncertainty remains between the posts.
According to statistical analysis by football data specialists Squawka, the battle for Spain's No. 1 shirt comes down to three contenders: Unai Simón, David Raya, and Joan García.
Shot-Stopping: Simon's Experience Meets Raya and Garcia's Efficiency
Goalkeeping begins with one essential task—stopping goals.
Simón, the current first-choice goalkeeper under coach Luis de la Fuente, faced the highest number of shots among the trio last season. The Athletic Club goalkeeper averaged 9.4 shots on target faced per 90 minutes, compared to 8.4 for Garcia and 8.2 for Raya.
Despite being the busiest goalkeeper, Simón recorded 2.8 saves per match, including 0.9 saves from outside the penalty area.
Garcia, meanwhile, excelled in close-range situations. The Barcelona goalkeeper averaged 2.5 saves per game, with 2.0 of those coming from inside the box.
Raya posted 1.7 saves per match, including 1.2 from inside the area, while benefiting from Arsenal's dominant defensive structure.
When it comes to save percentage, Garcia leads the way with an impressive 77.89%, ahead of Raya's 69.77% and Simón's 64.96%.
These numbers suggest that Garcia and Raya may currently hold a statistical edge, although Simón's international pedigree remains a significant factor.
Passing Ability: Modern Goalkeeping Demands More
For a possession-based side like Spain, distribution is almost as important as shot-stopping.
Simón averaged 30.4 passes per game in La Liga, narrowly ahead of Raya (29.5) and Garcia (28.6). He also recorded the highest number of touches among the three goalkeepers.
However, accuracy tells a different story.
Garcia completed an outstanding 89.72% of his passes, successfully connecting 25.6 of his 28.6 attempts per match. Raya posted a completion rate of 65.01%, while Simón finished considerably lower at 57.97%.
Long passing also favors Garcia. He completed 50.88% of his long balls, compared to 35.92% for Simón and 34.39% for Raya.
For a Spanish side that values controlled possession and precise build-up play, Garcia's distribution statistics make a compelling case.
Penalty Shootouts: Experience Matters
Major tournaments are often decided from the penalty spot, making shootout expertise a critical factor.
Raya recently saved a penalty in a European final but has historically struggled in shootout situations. Across his professional career, he has saved six penalties from 47 faced during regular play and four out of 31 in penalty shootouts.
Simón boasts the strongest record among the trio. He has saved eight penalties from 45 attempts in regular matches and seven of 27 penalties in shootouts. His performances have already proven decisive for Spain in major international tournaments.
Garcia remains the least experienced candidate in this area. He has saved only two of 18 penalties faced during matches and has yet to participate in an official senior shootout.
Who Should Start for Spain?
Statistically, Garcia offers the best combination of shot-stopping and passing accuracy, while Raya provides reliability and experience at the highest level of club football.
However, Simón's extensive international experience—57 appearances for Spain—and his proven ability to handle pressure in major tournaments could ultimately persuade De la Fuente to keep faith in his trusted goalkeeper.
With the World Cup just around the corner, Spain's goalkeeping debate remains one of the most fascinating selection battles heading into the tournament.
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