Spain 1-1 Iraq summary: score, goals, highlights, World Cup 2026 friendly game

FT: Spain 1-1 Iraq

Tonight's World Cup send-off friendly at the Estadio Riazor ended in a tense 1-1 draw as Iraq successfully frustrated the European champions on Spanish soil.

Things initially looked to be going according to script for Luis de la Fuente's side when Ferran Torres capitalized on a rapid counter-attack engineered by Dani Olmo, slotting home the opener in the 16th minute. However, the Lions of Mesopotamia showcased the exact defensive grit and opportunistic spirit that defined their historic qualification campaign; just eleven minutes later, defender Merchas Doski caught the Spanish backline off guard with a spectacular, long-range strike from a difficult angle on the left flank to stun the home crowd.

Despite sweeping second-half overhauls by both managers and a relentless late push by Spain's heavily rotated midfield, Iraq's disciplined block held perfectly firm, forcing a competitive draw that gives La Roja plenty of food for thought before they travel to the US tomorrow.

That's it... the German referee sounds the final whistle.

We'll have three minutes of added time.

Despite a daunting task ahead of the Lions of Mesopotamia in the World Cup as they face Senegal, Norway and France, they can take considerable confidence from tonight's showing in A Coruña as they hold the 2024 Euro champions to a draw.

Two more Spain debuts tonight

Into the final minutes of the match and Luis de la Fuente will be pleased from what he saw in the opening half but the volume of changes in the second half has lead to an extremely disjointed performance from La Roja in the second 45'.

Another yellow as Sulaka clips Rodriguez.

Just over ten minutes remain and Iraq boss Graham Arnold will be delighted with his sides performance to date as they are holding the European champions to a 1-1 draw in A Coruña.

Spain still dominating proceedings in terms of possession:

ESP 66-34 Iraq (%)

Leo Roman and Javi Rodriguez on for Joan Garcia and Porro.

Both incoming players also making their Spain debuts.

Into the final twenty minutes and still no real clear cut chances for either side in this half with Iraq planning even more changes.

Merino making his way back from long term injury. The Arsenal man has just played half an hour for his club in the Premier League game against Crystal Palace.

Baena out and replaced by Merino.

Another Spain change

Three more Spain debutantes

Less than half an hour remain in A Coruña and neither side has managed to impose their style of play in the second half.

Iraq make seven changes.

In - Pubil, Guerra, Turrientes ... all three make their Spain debuts.

Out - Gabi, Bernal, Martin

More changes planned for Luis de la Fuente with the changes now impacting on the rhythm and flow of the match.

Yellow for Ismael as he clips Baena from behind.

The Spain squad fly out to Nashville tomorrow from Santiago de Compostela and then make their way to their HQ in Chattanooga.

Debut for Gonzalo

The Real Madrid striker makes his debut for the Spanish national side despite not being in the squad who head to the World Cup.

Changes for Iraq

Hassan for Basil

Hussein on for Al-Hamadi

Pino on for Olmo

Eric Garcia on for Grimaldo

Gonzalo Garcia on for Ferran

Carballo on for Borja 

Gomez on for Laporte

Second half gets underway in La Coruña with the side in white getting the second 45' underway.

Spain 1-1 Iraq

Iraq too with changes which we'll wrap in a few moments.

The teams return to the field of play.

Looks like Spain will make five changes at the break.

All square at the break

La Roja have largely controlled possession and created most of the early chances in this first 45', eventually taking the lead in the 16th minute when Ferran Torres finished a move assisted by Iglesias.

However, despite Spain's dominance, Iraq responded against the run of play, equalizing in the 27th minute through Merchas Doski after an assist from Akam Hashim. Spain continued to push forward with several attempts and pressure in attack, but couldn't restore their lead before halftime, leaving the score level at 1–1 at the interval.

The whistle sounds and the teams head to the dressing rooms with all square here in A Coruña.

Borja Iglesias gets ready to pull the trigger and just as he shapes to shoot, the flag is up in a very, very tight decision indeed.

It's been a quiet half from ‘El Panda’.

Bayesh gets a shot off for Iraq but the effort from the Al Dhafra man is poor.

Into the final five minutes we go.

Just that one chance for Iraq and Spain getting better as the half moves on.

Decent chance for Gavi as he forces a solid save, the ball falls to Ferran Torres and the goalscorer sees shot rock the Iraq crossbar.

Better now from Spain who have been a little over predictable tonight,

Another card, this time for Gavi as he hauls Doski back by a sneaky shirt-pull.

A series of Iraq substitutes warming up on the touchline.

Inevitably we'll see plenty of changes in both sides in the second half.

Bernal carded for a jersey pull. The German ref had little options but to book the FC Barcelona man.

Maximum efficiency from Graham Arnold's side who find the target with their first effort on the Spain goal.

De la Fuente's men still continue to dominate possession but are struggling to convert this dominance on the ball into clear chances.

He's been highly questioned this season at Atletico Madrid but it's been a solid showing from Baena tonight so far.

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Spain starting to dominate now boosted by the Torres goal,

Just to mention that there is no VAR for tonight's match.

Spain starting XI tonight

Possession after 14'

Spain 73-27% Iraq

First intervention from Borja Iglesias and it's a poor ball from the Celta Vigo striker with Basil on hand to cut out the danger.

Ten minutes gone at the Estadio de Riazor and neither keeper has been called into action yet with Iraq looking composed when in possession.

Neither side yet to establish any form of control with plenty of mis-placed passes.

Spain win the first corner of the night. Grimaldo with the strike but solid keeping from Basil in the Iraq goal.

Decent work from Gavi as he breaks to the touchline and just manages to miss a player in red with his pass.

350 Iraq fans confirmed tonight.

One would imagine that the thinking from the Spanish FA is that Iraq are ‘similar’ to Saudi Arabia and that Peru are not a million miles away from what they can expect against Uruguay.

Both Saudi Arabia and Uruguay of course face Spain in Group H.

A solid showing and no injury scares will be the desire of both Luis de la Fuente and his counterpart on the Iraq bench, Graham Arnold.

Spain start the action and we're underway in Galicia.

Nice local touch with the Galician bagpipes... Red and yellow smoke billows in the A Coruña air and we're all set.

Tonight's match official hails from Germany, Mr. Florian Badstubner.

National anthem time... first up Iraq.

Nice to see no booing tonight from the Spain fans. The Egypt anthem was roundly booed at the last Spain friendly game in Cornella in March.

Now, Spain anthem played on the Galician bagpipes.

Lamine Yamal is here tonight with his Spain team-mates but still sidelined due to that hamstring injury.

There are still doubts if the Barça player is ready for the World Cup opener.

The players are in the tunnel at the Estadio de Riazor.

Spain in red and navy with Iraq in white.

Iraq not alone in La Coruña tonight

Despite being clearly outnumbered by Spain fans, there are a small group of Iraq fans in attendance tonight anxious to see the Lions of Mesopotamia at close quarters.

Just a week to go !!!!!

The 2026 World Cup gets underway precisely a week today as El Tri face South Africa in the opening match in Mexico City.

The first of 104 matches that will see the action run through to the middle of July with the final scheduled for the 19th.

A reminder of tonight's teams for those just joining us.

Ferran Torres and Borja Iglesias lead the line for Spain.

The Iraq frontline sees Ali Jasim (Como) link up with Ipswich's Al Hamadi 

Fans packing into Riazor

Some of the early birds arriving at Depor's stadium with a crowd of over 32,000 expected tonight.

Iraq at the 2026 World Cup

Group I

16.06 vs Norway (Boston)

22.06 vs France (Philadelphia)

26.06 vs Senegal (Toronto)

Spain at the 2026 World Cup

Group H

15.06 vs Cape Verde (Atlanta)

21.06 vs Saudi Arabia (Atlanta)

26.06 vs Uruguay (Guadalajara)

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Spain's seventh international at Riazor

The stadium in Galicia bodes well for the Spanish national side who have never lost a game at the Estadio de Riazor, having recorded four wins and two draws.

The last time 'La Roja' played at Depor's home was back in 2022 when they swept Iceland aside with a 5-0 win,.

Subs bences for both sides:

Spain: Unai Simón, Leo Román, Llorente, Javi Rodríguez, Marc Pubill, Cubarsí, Eric García, Sergio Gómez, Javi Guerra, Turrientes, Mikel Merino, Jesús Rodríguez, Yeremy Pino y Gonzalo.

Iraq: Talib, Hassan, Sulaka, Yahya, Saadoon, Younis, Putros, Iqbal, Sher, Yakob, Qasem, Hussein, Mohanad Ali, Amyn y Yousif.

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Full house expected at Riazor

All tickets for tonight's game have been snapped up with the 'sold out' sign on display at the Estadio Riazor ticket office.

Over 32,000 supporters are expected tonight to bid farewell to De la Fuente and his side as they look to secure Spain's second ever World Cup win.

Iraq will also play one more friendly match prior to the curtain coming up at the World Cup as they face the Vinotinto of Venezuela in Chicago on June 9th.

Many of the Iraqi squad play their football domestically with others playing in far flung places from Thailand, Poland, Italy and the US.

Arnold names his Iraq XI

Spain to wear red home jersey tonight

Luis de la Fuente's men will sport their traditional red jersey tonight for the game against Iraq (who will wear white).

Many fans anticipated La Roja to wear their cream away jersey which is causing a stir and is set to become one of the best sellers during the World Cup.

Spain XI confirmed

Joan García; Pedro Porro, Laporte, Jon Martín, Grimaldo; Gavi, Marc Bernal, Dani Olmo; Ferran Torres, Borja Iglesias & Baena.

Borja Iglesias starts for Spain !

Spain v Iraq (previous meetings)

La Roja have only faced Iraq one before with that meeting taking place in 2017.

The game came during the FIFA Confederations Cup (a precursor to the 2018 World Cup) in Russia with the Spaniards coming out on top with a 1-0 win.

David Villa was on target for La Roja.

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Iraq face tough World Cup test

The Asian side have been pitted in Group I at the forthcoming World Cup and will face the likes of France, Senegal and Norway in a tough group at the tournament.

Special night for Borja Iglesias

The Celta Vigo striker is the only Galician native in the Spain squad with the 33-year-old born in neighboring city Santiago de Compostela.

Iglesias is set to play for Spain at his first ever World Cup and is expected to play tonight at the home of Celta's arch enemy, Deportivo.

This will be Luis de la Fuentes' team penultimate friendly game ahead of the 2026 World Cup as they will face Peru in the Mexican city of Puebla next week with their opening match at the World Cup earmarked for June 15th in Atlanta.

Spain vs Iraq

The action at the Estadio Riazor (home to newly promoted Deportivo la Coruña) gets underway at 9pm (local time) 3pm ET/12om PT.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Spain vs Iraq live from the Galician city of La Coruña with both sides using the game as a warm-up for their imminent World Cup adventure.