Spain held to 1-1 draw by Iraq in World Cup warm-up
The result marks Spain’s second consecutive friendly draw ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while providing Iraq with a significant confidence boost ahead of a challenging group stage.
Iraq secured a 1-1 draw against Spain in a friendly match at the Estadio de Riazor on 4 June 2026, halting Spain’s momentum in their final home preparation for the upcoming tournament. The result extends Spain’s unbeaten record in regulation time to 29 matches but marks their second consecutive draw, following a stalemate with Egypt in March. For Iraq, the performance offers a notable benchmark ahead of their first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Spain, latching onto a pass from Dani Olmo to dash from the halfway line and finish beneath the outstretched arms of Iraqi goalkeeper Ahmed Basil. The goal moved Torres above Sergio Ramos and Alfredo Di Stéfano in Spain’s all-time goalscorer charts. However, Iraq equalised in the 27th minute through Merchas Doski, a 26-year-old German-born defender who scored his first international goal with a lobbed shot from the left flank.
The match was significant for the venue, marking the Estadio de Riazor’s first men’s international fixture since September 2009. The stadium had previously suffered damage during Deportivo La Coruña’s promotion celebrations, though authorities deemed it safe for the kick-off. Spain dominated the early stages, with Alex Baena testing Basil within the opening 10 minutes, but Iraq’s defensive resilience held firm until Doski’s intervention.
Both managers utilised their benches extensively to manage player fitness ahead of the World Cup. Ali Jasim was the only player to complete the full 90 minutes for Iraq. Spain’s substitutes, including Jesús Rodríguez and Yéremy Pino, created further opportunities, but the Iraqi defence, led by Basil, prevented a second goal. The second half played out at a slower pace as both sides prioritised avoiding injury.
Spain now turn their attention to their next fixture against Peru in Mexico. For Iraq, managed by Graham Arnold, the draw serves as a morale booster ahead of a difficult World Cup group that includes Norway, France, and Senegal. The team’s path to the tournament was complicated by conflict in Iran, forcing them to travel via the Jordanian border and Lisbon for their intercontinental playoff against Bolivia.
