Spain Held to 1-1 Draw by Resilient Iraq in World Cup Warm-Up Match

Spain's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Iraq in an international friendly played at the Estadio Riazor in La Coruña.

The European champions dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities, but Iraq's disciplined defending and a stunning equalizer ensured the match ended level.

Ferran Torres Gives Spain Early Advantage

Spain started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through Ferran Torres. The experienced forward finished off a swift attacking move to put the hosts ahead and appeared to set the stage for a comfortable victory.

Luis de la Fuente's side controlled much of the first half and came close to extending their lead, with Torres nearly adding a second goal before the break.

Merchas Doski Produces Brilliant Response

Iraq refused to back down and found an equalizer in the 27th minute thanks to Merchas Doski. The defender caught the Spanish defense off guard with an impressive finish from a difficult angle, bringing the visitors level and silencing the home crowd.

The goal boosted Iraq's confidence, and they continued to frustrate Spain with organized defending and determined performances across the pitch.

Rotated Spain Side Struggles to Find Winner

With several key players rested ahead of the World Cup, Spain fielded a heavily rotated lineup and introduced numerous substitutions in the second half. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, La Roja struggled to break through Iraq's compact defense.

Spain pushed for a late winner but failed to convert their chances, leaving the match tied at full time.

Valuable Lessons Ahead of the World Cup

Although the result was not ideal, the friendly provided Spain coach Luis de la Fuente with an opportunity to assess squad depth and give young players valuable minutes before the tournament begins.

For Iraq, the draw represents a significant confidence boost as they continue their own preparations for the World Cup.