Spain concluded their World Cup warm-up fixtures with a surprising 1-1 draw against Iraq at the Estadio Riazor in Santiago de Compostela. The result, described as not 'very good', saw an understrength Spanish side fail to secure a victory in their final preparation match before the tournament.
The fixture was notable for the number of new faces in the Spanish squad, with eight players making their international debuts. However, the draw means that seven of these eight debutants will not be among the players travelling with the squad to the World Cup. This suggests the coach used the match as a final opportunity to assess fringe players before finalising the tournament roster.
Following the match, the Spanish team is scheduled to depart from Santiago de Compostela on Friday morning. Their journey will take them to Chattanooga, via Nashville, where they will continue their preparations for the global football showcase. The draw against Iraq, while not ideal, offers a final chance for the coaching staff to reflect on squad selections and tactical approaches.
The performance against Iraq, an opponent not typically considered a footballing powerhouse on the world stage, may raise questions about Spain's readiness, particularly given the number of new players fielded. For a nation with high expectations in international tournaments, a draw against a lower-ranked team in a warm-up fixture could be seen as a missed opportunity to build momentum and confidence.
However, it is common for teams to experiment heavily in final warm-up games, often prioritising player fitness and tactical adjustments over the result itself. The focus will now shift to their arrival in the United States and the intense training sessions that will follow as they fine-tune their strategy ahead of their opening World Cup match.