Spain were left frustrated in their first World Cup warm-up match as they laboured to a 1-1 draw with spain-slip-up-against-iraq-and-france-suffer-a-comeback/">Iraq at the Estadio de Riazor in La Coruna.
Ferran Torres gave Spain an expected lead in the 16th minute but Iraq got themselves on level terms before the half-hour mark through a moment of magic from Merchas Doski.
Spain will have ambitions of lifting the World Cup for a second time in their history but were given a stern test by Iraq, who were brimming with confidence after qualifying for their first World Cup since 1986.
Spain, who were without Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri and David Raya, struggled to land a blow on Iraq in a lacklustre second period and will be hoping to sharpen up in time for their World Cup opener
The reigning European champions will have one more dress rehearsal against Peru before their first tournament game against Cape Verde on June 15, while Iraq face Venezuela before they kick-start their World Cup campaign against Norway on June 16.
Spain soon got into their groove and tested Iraq’s Ahmed Basil for the first time when he was forced to tip Alex Baena’s goalbound effort behind for a corner.
The hosts then made the breakthrough in the 16th minute. Iraq committed bodies up the pitch and were punished with a neat counter attack as Torres dribbled and raced past two defenders before firing a low shot towards goal which sneaked past Basil.
Iraq had to defend for much of the contest but stunned the hosts with an equalizer in the 28th minute.
Left-back Doski picked up the ball on the left edge of the penalty area and lifted his head to see Joan Garcia off his line before firing a beauty into the back of the net.
The 2010 World Cup winners went in search of another goal to retake the lead but were denied by Basil again when he tipped Torres’ strike over the bar in brilliant fashion.
La Roja had the first chance after the interval as Jon Martin jumped highest from a corner but was unable to head it on target.
The hosts did not offer much since the equalizer and were beginning to get frustrated by the minnows. A cross into the box fell to Eric Garcia, who skied over the bar from close range.
Spain’s attack left much to be desired and their toothless night in front of goal was rather summed up when Yeremy Pino lined one up from range but fired high and wide of the target.
