World Cup 2026: Why Spain's defence could make history - BBC Sport
bbc.com
Spain haven't conceded a single goal at the 2026 World Cup — and the numbers behind their shutouts suggest they may be rewriting tournament defensive history.
Collective Action TheorySystems ThinkingStatistical SignificanceGame Theory
Theory Briefing
- Spain have yet to concede at the 2026 World Cup, putting them on the brink of a tournament defensive record.
- BBC Sport's statistical breakdown frames the shutouts not as luck but as a systemic pattern across multiple matches.
- Historic defensive records at World Cups are rare — achieving one would place this Spain side in elite company.
- The analysis raises the question of whether collective defensive structure, not individual brilliance, is the engine behind the run.