Spain Held to Frustrating 1-1 Draw by Iraq in Final World Cup Tune-Up Without Yamal

Captain **Ferran Torres** put Spain ahead in the 16th minute, finishing a slick counter-attacking move with the clinical edge that has made him a regular under Luis de la Fuente. The advantage lasted barely ten minutes. In the 27th minute, Iraq left-back **Merchas Doski** caught goalkeeper Joan García off his line with a spectacular looping effort that drew the visitors level and silenced the home crowd.

The headline absentee was **Lamine Yamal**, with de la Fuente confirming the Barcelona forward sat out as he continues to recover from the left hamstring problem that ended his club season early. Spain's coaching staff have signalled cautious optimism that Yamal will be available for the group opener, but they were unwilling to risk him against a physical Iraqi side a week out from the tournament.

Spain now turn to a final friendly against Peru in Mexico before opening their World Cup campaign. The draw will sharpen questions about Spain's attacking sharpness without their teenage talisman, even if friendlies rarely tell the full story.

For a contender, the warm-up window is about fitness and rhythm rather than results. A draw with Iraq will not derail Spain's ambitions, but it underlines how much de la Fuente's attack leans on Yamal — and why getting him fit is the priority that matters most.