In a friendly that carried more weight than its low-key billing suggested, Iraq held Spain to a 1-1 draw at the Riazor Stadium in La Coruña, sending a clear signal to their upcoming World Cup opponents, France. Just days before the global tournament kicks off, the Lions of Mesopotamia demonstrated the kind of stubborn resistance and opportunistic finishing that could spell trouble for Didier Deschamps’ side when the two nations meet in the group stage.
Spain, fielding a team littered with fringe players, took the lead in the 16th minute through Ferran Torres. The Barcelona forward weaved his way through a static Iraqi defense after a clever decoy run from Borja Iglesias opened up space, and he finished with cool precision. For a moment, it looked as though Luis de la Fuente’s experimental lineup would cruise to a comfortable victory, but Iraq had other ideas.
Merchas Doski, the left-back from Czech club Viktoria Plzeň, produced a moment of individual magic to level the score just eleven minutes later. After a rapid break down the left flank, Doski collected a long pass and drove into the penalty area. With minimal pressure from defender Jon Martín, he struck a left-footed effort that swerved viciously, deceiving goalkeeper Joan García and nestling in the far corner. It was a goal that stunned the home crowd and underlined Iraq’s threat on the counter.
De la Fuente’s team sheet was always going to be the story: nine players who are not part of Spain’s plans for the Americas saw game time. Newcomers Jon Martín and Marc Bernal made their debuts, while Gonzalo García, Jesús Rodríguez, Beñat Turrientes, Sergio Gómez, Javi Rodríguez, Leo Román, and Javier Guerra were introduced early. The coach’s clear priority was to rest first-choice stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Nico Williams ahead of the tournament, and the disjointed performance was a natural byproduct.
The match itself unfolded at a leisurely pace, a testament to its status as a fitness exercise rather than a competitive showdown. Spain dominated possession but struggled to carve open an Iraqi block that sat deep and defended with discipline. Iraq, for their part, were content to soak up pressure and hit on the break, a strategy that will be all too familiar to France when they meet in the World Cup.
For Les Bleus, the ramifications are immediate. Iraq’s performance in La Coruña provided a blueprint of what to expect: a well-drilled defensive unit, pace in transition, and a willingness to punish any lapse in concentration. France’s scouting department will no doubt dissect the footage, noting how Doski’s goal exposed Spain’s high line and how Iraq’s midfield screen disrupted Spain’s rhythm. The challenge for Deschamps will be to ensure his team does not fall into the same trap.
The draw also serves to highlight the growing gap between Europe’s elite and emerging nations, but it also reinforces the unpredictability of tournament football. Iraq may not have the pedigree of a France or a Spain, but their result against La Roja proves they are capable of raising their level on the big occasion. The French camp, already wary of underestimated opponents, now has tangible evidence of the threat.
Spain’s preparations continue in North America, with a second friendly against Peru scheduled for Monday night in Mexico. That fixture is expected to see the return of regulars as De la Fuente aims to build cohesion and sharpness. The Peru match will be a truer measure of Spain’s form, but the Iraq stalemate has already provided plenty of food for thought.
In the broader narrative of pre-World Cup warm-ups, this result will be filed under ‘cautionary tales’ for the tournament favorites. France, in particular, must heed the warning. Iraq is not coming to make up the numbers; they are coming to compete, and they have the tools to disrupt even the best-laid plans. The encounter in La Coruña, though far from a classic, may prove to be one of the most instructive 90 minutes of football played before the World Cup kicks off.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.