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Football

25th Jun 2018

David De Gea is the only goalkeeper not to have made a save at the World Cup

He'll be rueing one goal he conceded in particular

Reuben Pinder

As statistics go, this is an odd one

David De Gea is the only goalkeeper not to have made a single save yet at the 2018 World Cup, according to statistics from FIFA’s official website.

A total of 33 goalkeepers have featured in the World Cup so far, after Tunisia’s Mouez Hassen had to be substituted during the first half of their first match against England.

Top of the saves chart is Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, who has made a total of 14 saves in 180 minutes, with a staggering save completion rate of 93%.

De Gea’s grand tally of 0 saves, juxtaposed by Spain’s record of one win and one draw would suggest that Spain have not conceded any chances in the tournament thus far. That presumption would of course be incorrect, given that Spain conceded three goals in their opening match against Portugal.

One chance from that game stands out as a save that De Gea should have made, when Cristiano Ronaldo fizzed a shot that slipped out of De Gea’s hands and into his net.

During Spain’s 1-0 win over Iran, the Asian team did have the ball in De Gea’s net at one point, only for their goal to be ruled out for offside.