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Sport Nation
The Live Sport Bible is here!European big guns stumble in World Cup warm-ups
Reuters • June 5th, 2026 11:27 am
Spain take on Iraq | Photo: EPA
European champions Spain have been held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up match in A Coruna.
La Roja manager Luis de la Fuente rested several key players - including Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Pedri and Rodri - before their final friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on Tuesday (NZ time) because of fitness concerns.
Friday's (NZ time) result was a subdued send-off on home soil before they travel to North America on Saturday, but a boost for former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold - now the Iraq boss.
A low block denied Spain the rhythm that carried them to the 2024 European Championship title in Germany.
Darren Bazeley following the All Whites' 4-0 loss to Haiti | Sport Nation
Ferran Torres put them ahead on 16 minutes, bursting through from midfield into the box before firing past the goalkeeper, but Iraq equalised through Merchas Doski in the 27th with a superb left-footed strike from a difficult angle.
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 Nantes, Guela Doue scored once and set up the winner to fire Ivory Coast to a shock 2-1 comeback victory over Didier Deschamps's France.
The 23-year-old Strasbourg defender, older brother of France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Desire, cancelled out Rayan Cherki's sublime opener shortly after halftime before delivering the cross that Amad Diallo converted for the winner, earning the Elephants a first-ever victory over Les Bleus.
Eli Just from All Whites training camp in Florida | Sport Nation
France, who were on a nine-match unbeaten streak, next face Northern Ireland in a final warm-up game in Lille on Tuesday.
Sweden were on the verge of securing a perfect send-off in their final pre-World Cup friendly in Stockholm until Greece scored deep into second-half added time to grab a 2-2 draw.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres joined up with the Swedish squad on Wednesday following Arsenal's defeat by PSG in Saturday's Champions League final, and just over 24 hours later he got on the scoresheet.
He fired home a free kick in the 53rd minute to cancel out Kostas Tsimikas's opening goal for Greece early in the first half.
The Swedes appeared to be heading for victory when substitute Taha Ali teed up Gustav Nilsson to make it 2-1 in the 69th minute, but a Giorgos Masouras goal spoiled the hosts' party.
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