Spain vs Iraq LIVE: Second half underway! International friendly before 2026 World Cup (1-1)

Zaid Ismail goes into the referee’s book after a late challenge, picking up a yellow card as Iraq continue to defend with intensity.

Iraq defend exceptionally well, closing every lane and keeping their shape tight, leaving Spain with no room to combine or break lines.

Joan García comes out to deal with a corner but mistimes his punch, then struggles again on the rebound, and it’s finally Álex Baena who steps in to clear the danger for Spain.

Sergio Gómez reacts well and shuts down Bayesh’s attempted run into the box, recovering the play with authority.

Farji recovers after holding his head from an accidental hit by Jesús Rodríguez’s boot in the previous play, and the Iraqi winger is able to continue without issues.

No one read Jesús Rodríguez’s idea. The Spain winger drives a mid‑height ball across the area, but no teammate anticipates the run and the play dies inside Riazor.

The Spanish debutant rises well on a corner but can’t get clean contact on the header, sending it off target. Another warning from Spain as they keep pushing at Riazor.

Jesús Rodríguez almost makes it 2‑1. The Como winger bursts into the box and fires a low, angled shot that flashes just wide of the post. Spain start the second half with real intent at Riazor.

The action resumes at Estadio Riazor, with Spain and Iraq returning from halftime level after a tightly contested first half. Both sides look to break the deadlock as the second half gets underway.

Jesús Casas adjusts his lineup at the break in Riazor:

• Aymen Hussein replaces Ali Al‑Hamadi

• Jalal Hassan Hachim takes over in goal for Ahmed Basil

Luis de la Fuente shakes things up at the break in Riazor:

• Jesús Rodríguez replaces Borja Iglesias

• Gonzalo García comes on for Dani Olmo

• Yeremy Pino enters for Álex Grimaldo

• Eric García substitutes Aymeric Laporte

• Sergio Gómez replaces Ferran Torres

Possession: Spain 72%, Iraq 28% 

Total Shots: Spain 7, Iraq 2

Shots on Target: Spain 4, Iraq 1 

Corners: Spain 3, Iraq 0

Offsides: Spain 2, Iraq 1

The referee sends both teams to the break after an intense, back‑and‑forth first half. Spain created the clearer chances — including Ferran Torres off the crossbar and multiple attempts from Dani Olmo — but Iraq held firm and struck back through Merchas Doski to level the match.

Borja Iglesias is flagged offside once again as he tries to latch onto a flick‑on from Ferran Torres.

Al Hamadi was about to go one‑on‑one with Joan García, but the assistant raised the flag for a very tight offside, stopping what could’ve been a huge chance for Iraq.

Bayesh takes a chance from long range, but the Iraqi captain’s effort goes well wide of the far post.

Ferran Torres tries to slip a ball into the heart of the box for Dani Olmo, but Iraq’s back line reads it well and intercepts the pass before it reaches the playmaker.

Dani Olmo tries his luck again from inside the box, but this time his shot sails over the top and Spain’s push for the second goal comes up empty.

Ferran Torres unleashes a powerful right‑footed strike from the edge of the box, forcing a brilliant save from Ahmed Basil. The ball clips the crossbar on its way out, so close to Spain’s second!

Gavi goes into the referee’s book at the 37‑minute mark after a tough challenge in midfield. It’s Spain’s second yellow of the match, showing how intense the duel has become.

Baena forces a tough header after a great cross from Grimaldo, but he can’t steer it on target and the chance drifts wide.

Marc Bernal receives Spain’s first booking of the match after a clear shirt pull on Farji as Iraq tried to break through midfield.

Dani Olmo almost restores the lead as he bursts into the box, but his shot is blocked by Ahmed Basil’s body, keeping Iraq level for now.

Merchas Doski finds the equalizer for Iraq at the 27‑minute mark! A sharp finish that beats the Spanish defense and brings the match back to level terms.

Spain continue to dictate the tempo, circulating the ball with patience as Iraq drop deeper.

Borja Iglesias stepped ahead of the back line while chasing a through ball, and the flag went up immediately as he tried to get in behind.

Grimaldo puts in two huge efforts down the left, chasing and saving a pair of balls right on the byline. Neither one fully crossed out, and Spain keep the play alive thanks to his intensity.

Spain immediately look for a second, but Pedro Porro loses the ball on the right flank as Al Ammari defends him well and shuts down the play.

Spain strike first at Riazor as Ferran Torres smashes it in to make it 1‑0. La Roja capitalize on their strong start, and the captain delivers the breakthrough

Álex Baena whipped in a quick, dangerous ball after pouncing on another loose touch inside the box, but no Spanish player was there to finish it. The chance fizzled out as the ball rolled harmlessly through the a

Dani Olmo tried to cut inside after slipping into the box, but his move didn’t come off and the Iraqi defender held his ground to stop the play.

Gavi was fouled by Ali Jasim as he tried to win a loose ball in Spain’s half. La Roja keep the momentum as they restart play quickly.

Grimaldo delivered the corner from the left, but Ahmed Basil stayed alert and punched the ball away with confidence to clear the danger.

Spain’s No. 15 fired a low shot toward the far post inside the box. The ball slipped between Tahseen’s legs, forcing Ahmed Basil into a brilliant save as he stretched out a strong hand. It rolled out just inches wide.

Spain attempt to construct the play from the back, moving the ball patiently through their defensive line, but Iraq step up in midfield and cut the sequence before La Roja can progress.

Gavi looked to whip a ball into the Iraqi box, but Zaid Tahseen stepped in and cleared it solidly to deny any danger for Spain.

Álex Baena tried to control a loose ball inside the Iraqi box, but it slipped away from him at the last moment. Iraq’s back line reacted quickly and cleared the danger.

Spain look to take early control of the ball, circulating possession from the back and trying to set the tempo as Iraq sit deep in the opening minute at Riazor.

The international friendly between Spain and Iraq is underway at Riazor.

Both teams are lined up for the pre‑match protocol at Estadio Riazor. The atmosphere is building as Spain and Iraq prepare for kickoff.

Teenage phenom Lamine Yamal has been ruled out of Spain’s international friendly against Iraq as a precautionary measure. The Barcelona winger is still recovering from a minor injury setback sustained late in the club season

Players from both sides are out on the pitch at Riazor, going through their warm‑up routines as we get closer to kickoff.

The match will be officiated by a German crew, appointed to lead this international friendly at Riazor.

Full officiating team:
Referee: Florian Badstübner (GER)
Assistant Referees: Christof Günsch (GER), Sven Waschitzki‑Günther (GER)
Fourth Official: Tobias Reichel (GER)

Today’s action takes place at Estadio Riazor in A Coruña, a historic stadium with a capacity of 34,611 spectators. It provides a classic Spanish setting as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The match between Spain and Iraq is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM (ET) / 12:00 PM (PT) on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Estadio Riazor in A Coruña, Spain. In the United States, the game will be available via live streaming on Fubo and ViX, depending on your region.

Iraq’s starting XI: Ahmed Basil; Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahsen, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski; Amir Al‑Ammari, Zaid Ismail; Ibrahim Bayesh, Ali Jassim, Marko Farji; Ali Al‑Hamadi.

Spain’s starting XI:Joan Garcia; Pedro Porro, Laporte, Jon Martín, Grimaldo; Bernal, Gavi, Olmo; Ferran, Álex B., Borja Iglesias.

Welcome to our live blog! This time, the Spain host Iraq in an international friendly as both teams continue their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Stay with us for all the action and minute‑by‑minute updates of this matchup at Estadio Riazor in La Coruña.