Doski stunner earns Iraq draw against understrength Spain in World Cup warm-up
Spain drew 1-1 against Iraq in a World Cup warm-up match featuring a largely experimental Spanish squad. The match provided little insight into Spain's final World Cup lineup due to extensive substitutions and late player arrivals.
Why it matters
As a World Cup favorite, Spain's preparation and squad depth are closely monitored by fans and analysts ahead of the tournament.
Merchas Doski celebrates with his teammates after scoring Iraq’s equaliser. Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters View image in fullscreen Merchas Doski celebrates with his teammates after scoring Iraq’s equaliser. Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters Spain Doski stunner earns Iraq draw against understrength Spain in World Cup warm-up Sid Lowe at Estadio Riazor Thu 4 Jun 2026 18.04 EDT Last modified on Thu 4 Jun 2026 18.28 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Spain will depart from Santiago de Compostela at 10am on Friday morning bound for Chattanooga, via Nashville, but seven of the eight men who made their debuts in the final preparation game before the World Cup will not be on board with them. Nor will the seleccion be flying west with a victory after they bid adios with a 1-1 draw against Iraq at Estadio Riazor. Which may not sound very good – and it really was not very good either, a 22-minute cameo from Mikel Merino about the best thing about it – but is no cause for alarm.
The article provides a standard sports match report without political or social bias.
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