Spain's final World Cup warm-up match ended in a 1-1 draw against Iraq at Estadio Riazor, but the result offered few clues about La Roja's prospects in the tournament. With head coach Luis de la Fuente fielding a heavily rotated side featuring eight debutants, the contest in La Coruña was more about assessing fringe players than fine-tuning a starting XI.
Only a handful of likely starters took the field—Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, and perhaps Dani Olmo—as De la Fuente opted to rest his key assets. Lamine Yamal, the teenage phenom who has been sidelined since 22 April with a torn hamstring, was the most notable absentee, his name omitted from the matchday squad alongside other established stars like Rodri, Pedri, Nico Williams, and Marc Cucurella. Yamal's fitness remains the single biggest question mark hovering over Spain's World Cup campaign, and his absence here did little to ease concerns.
The experimental lineup took an early lead when a slick move in the 15th minute sliced through Iraq's midfield. Laporte initiated the attack by stepping out of defense and threading a pass to Olmo, who quickly moved it on to Borja Iglesias. The striker cleverly let the ball run through his legs, allowing Ferran Torres to burst in from the right, outpace Zaid Tahseen, and slot a low finish into the net. It was a moment of class that hinted at Spain's potential even in a makeshift side.
However, Iraq responded with a piece of individual brilliance that will be replayed for years. Merchas Doski, positioned wide on the left flank, unleashed a strike that looked like a cross but dipped viciously under the crossbar. Whether he meant it as a shot remains debatable, but the execution was undeniable. Goalkeeper Joan García, one of those auditioning for a starting role, got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out—a moment that likely did his prospects no favors in the ongoing national debate over the No. 1 jersey.
Spain continued to control possession but lacked cutting edge. Torres rattled the crossbar and Olmo volleyed over as the first half ended level. The second half saw a flurry of substitutions, with De la Fuente handing debuts to Atletico Madrid's Marc Pubill, Beñat Turrientes, and Javi Guerra. At one point, debutant Jesus Rodríguez, seconds after entering, dashed through on goal only to shoot wide. These cameos were less about the result and more about building experience within the wider squad.
Perhaps the most significant appearance came from Mikel Merino, who had played just 28 minutes of competitive football since January due to injury. Introduced in the 66th minute wearing the captain's armband, Merino's brief outing was a vital step in his race to full fitness. His presence—calm, combative, and intelligent—offered a glimpse of the midfield solidity Spain will rely upon in the knockout stages, and his recovery timeline now appears on track.
De la Fuente's selection gambit exposed both the depth and the gaps in this Spain setup. The eight debutants—including players not even traveling to the World Cup—showcased the talent pool, but the disjointed performance raised questions about cohesion if injuries strike. The coach has a settled core, yet with Yamal's hamstring a live concern and others like Merino working back to sharpness, the margin for error is thin.
The match also highlighted tactical tweaks: Spain lined up in a 4-2-3-1 rather than their usual 4-3-3, with wingers Álex Baena and Ferran Torres frequently cutting inside. This lack of natural width, a consequence of Yamal and Williams' absences, made Spain predictable at times and underlined how critical those direct runners are to De la Fuente's template. Iraq's compact shape comfortably soaked up pressure after the equalizer.
Despite the underwhelming result, there is no panic inside the Spanish camp. The players who will start the World Cup opener were mostly watching from the stands or bench, and the real work will begin when the 26-man squad lands in the United States. The friendly served its purpose: giving minutes to those who needed them, evaluating the fringe, and avoiding further injuries. The fitness of Yamal and the goalkeeping decision are now the two pressing storylines.
As the team departed from Santiago de Compostela bound for their pre-tournament base, the overarching emotion was one of cautious optimism. Spain remain among the favorites, and a disjointed warm-up draw against a resilient Iraq side changes little. However, with just a week until the tournament kicks off, the countdown is on to get their star winger fit and settle on a No.1. The real answers will come later. Based on reporting from The Guardian.