As Spain completed their final preparation match before the FIFA World Cup, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq at Estadio Riazor in La Coruña. Although the result was not ideal, it is unlikely to cause concern within the Spanish camp.
The match was less about the scoreline and more about giving opportunities to players who have not been regular starters. Several key members of Spain’s first-choice team were rested, while a number of young players made their international debuts.
Spain Rotate Heavily Ahead of World Cup
Head coach Luis de la Fuente used the match to assess squad depth before the tournament begins in North America.
Many of Spain’s biggest stars were absent from the starting lineup. Players such as Rodri, Pedri, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal did not feature.
Several players had only recently joined the national team camp after club commitments. Therefore, the coach preferred to avoid unnecessary risks and focus on squad management.
Spain also handed debuts to multiple players, making the game a memorable occasion for several youngsters.
Ferran Torres Gives Spain the Lead
Spain controlled possession from the opening minutes and eventually took the lead in the 15th minute.
The move began when defender Aymeric Laporte stepped forward with the ball and played an excellent pass through midfield. The attack quickly developed through Dani Olmo before reaching Ferran Torres.
Torres burst into the penalty area and calmly finished to put Spain ahead 1-0.
The goal reflected Spain’s dominance during the early stages. However, they could not add a second despite creating several promising attacks.
Iraq Respond with a Surprise Equaliser
Despite spending long periods without the ball, Iraq remained disciplined and waited for opportunities.
Their equaliser arrived through Merchas Doski. From a wide position on the left side, he delivered a ball that beat goalkeeper Joan Garcia and found the net.
Whether it was intended as a shot or a cross remained unclear. Nevertheless, the effort produced one of the standout moments of the match.
The goal gave Iraq confidence and ensured they headed into halftime level at 1-1.
Mikel Merino’s Return Provides a Positive Sign
One of the biggest positives for Spain was the return of Mikel Merino.
The midfielder entered the match in the second half and wore the captain’s armband. He had played very little football in recent months due to fitness issues, so his appearance was an encouraging sign ahead of the World Cup.
Merino looked comfortable on the ball and helped bring stability to Spain’s midfield.
Meanwhile, other substitutes also received valuable minutes as De la Fuente continued experimenting with different combinations.
Focus Now Shifts to the World Cup
Although Spain did not finish their preparations with a victory, the coaching staff will likely focus on the bigger picture.
The team remains one of the favourites for the World Cup thanks to its experienced core and talented young players. Furthermore, many regular starters were rested for this friendly.
Spain will now travel to the United States with a full week remaining before their opening World Cup match. As a result, the squad still has time to fine-tune preparations and build momentum.
The draw against Iraq may not have provided many answers, but it offered valuable match practice and allowed several players to gain international experience before football’s biggest tournament begins.