Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up match in La Coruna, with the Asian side producing a solid defensive display against a much-changed Spanish team.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente handed debuts to Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal and Real Sociedad defender Jon Martin in his starting XI, despite both players being part of the support group named to assist preparations for the 26-man World Cup squad.
A host of regulars were absent, including the injured trio of Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Victor Munoz, as well as Champions League finalists Martin Zubimendi, David Raya and Fabian Ruiz. Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri and Marc Cucurella were also rested, reports Xinhua.
De la Fuente started Joan Garcia in goal, which will further fuel speculation over whether the Barcelona goalkeeper or Athletic Club’s Unai Simon will start against Cabo Verde on June 15.
Garcia was caught out of position when Merchas Doski scored Iraq’s equaliser in the 27th minute, his curling effort finding the net with the goalkeeper seemingly expecting a cross.
Until then, Spain had been in control against opponents sitting in a low block and looking to break with direct balls. Ferran Torres opened the scoring in the 16th minute, running through to finish left-footed after Borja Iglesias dummied an Aymeric Laporte pass from the back, with Iraq’s defence slow to react.
Torres later struck the bar before half-time, but despite enjoying 72 per cent possession, Spain struggled to break Iraq down.
The second half offered little of note as De la Fuente introduced more debutants, including Marc Pubill, who will travel to the World Cup, along with others such as Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia, Real Sociedad’s Sergio Gomez, Valencia’s Javi Guerra and Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman, who is not part of the World Cup squad.
Spain failed to create any clear-cut chances against a resolute Iraqi defence after the break, while Iraq showed they would be no pushovers despite being drawn in a tough group featuring France, Senegal and Norway.
Spain will travel to the United States on Friday and play their final warm-up match against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on June 9 before beginning their World Cup campaign against Cabo Verde on June 15. Iraq face Norway two days later.
Elsewhere, France lost 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire. Guela Doue got the better of his brother Desire as he scored one goal and set up another in Cote d’Ivoire’s upset victory in Nantes. After Rayan Cherki gave France the lead, Guela broke clear of the defence to equalise in style, FIFA reports.
With Desire among several Paris Saint-Germain players on the bench, Guela then set up Amad Diallo with six minutes remaining as the Ivorians claimed a memorable scalp.
After losing 3-1 to Scandinavian rivals Norway, Sweden stuttered again in their preparations as they were held to a draw by Greece in their send-off match in Stockholm.
Shortly after joining up with the squad following a rest after the UEFA Champions League final, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres levelled the scores for Sweden with a deflected free-kick. Graham Potter’s men looked on course for victory when Taha Ali set up Gustav Nilsson, but Giorgos Masouras spoiled the party deep into stoppage time.
IANS
