European champions Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up fixture in A Coruna on Thursday, with manager Luis de la Fuente resting several key players ahead of their final pre-tournament friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on Monday.
De la Fuente left out Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Victor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal, citing fitness concerns across the squad. The absences left Spain with a heavily rotated starting line-up and a noticeably different complexion to their usual play.
The result was a subdued farewell on home soil before the squad departs for North America on Friday. Spain begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
The hosts struggled to break down a well-organised Iraq side, whose compact low block denied them the rhythm and tempo that carried them to the 2024 European Championship title in Germany. Clear openings were hard to come by throughout, and the occasion lacked the intensity of a side operating at full strength.
Spain took the lead in the 16th minute through a sharp counter-attack, with Ferran Torres bursting from midfield into the penalty area before firing past the goalkeeper.
Iraq levelled in the 27th minute through Merchas Doski, who produced a superb left-footed strike from a difficult angle on the left edge of the box. The ball arced over Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was slightly off his line, and dropped into the net.
Torres struck the crossbar in the 40th minute as Spain pressed for a second, but their opponents remained disciplined and composed, offering little for the hosts to work with in the final third.
Iraq, who will play only their second World Cup in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway, will take considerable encouragement from the result.
