European champions Spain football were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up with up to 10 players omitted over fitness concerns.
Manager Luis de la Fuente was ultra cautious in A Coruna, resting several key players before their final friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on Monday.
That meant De la Fuente left out Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Victor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal, with many back-up players afforded a chance that they ultimately did not take.
The result was a subdued send-off for `Spain on home soil before they travel to North America `on Friday. They will begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Spain struggled to break down an organised Iraq side whose compact low block denied the hosts the rhythm that carried them to the 2024 European Championship title in Germany.
The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute in a quick counter attack, with Ferran Torres bursting through the middle from midfield into the box before firing past the goalkeeper. Iraq equalised through Merchas Doski in the 27th minute with a superb left-footed strike from a difficult angle on the left edge of the box, the ball arcing over Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was slightly off his line, and dropping into the net.
Torres struck the crossbar in the 40th minute, but Spain found clear openings hard to come by against disciplined opponents who will play only their second World Cup in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.
