Spain confidently beats Peru (3:1) in friendly match
The reigning European champions put on a convincing performance: goals for "La Roja" were scored by Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, and an own goal by the Peruvian goalkeeper. Jairo Vélez scored the only consolation goal for the South American team in the 66th minute.
Spanish symphony in Puebla: How "La Roja" dismantled Peru before the World Cup
Main event
The Estadio Cuauhtémoc in the Mexican city of Puebla hosted the final dress rehearsal for the Spanish national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. On June 8, the reigning European champions faced Peru in a friendly match that was meant to be the last tune-up for "La Roja" before the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. And Luis de la Fuente's men did not disappoint — a confident 3-1 victory confirmed Spain's status as one of the top favorites for the world championship.
The match began with a shock for the Peruvian defense. Less than two minutes into the game, Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí, barely 19 years old, found Mikel Oyarzabal with a pass on the left flank. The Real Sociedad forward took a few steps toward the center and unleashed an unstoppable left-footed shot from 25 meters — the ball flew into the far corner of Pedro Gallese's goal, leaving the goalkeeper no chance. This goal became the third fastest for Spain in the 21st century and set the tone for the rest of the match.
The first half was played under complete Spanish control. "La Roja's" trademark passing game, switching flanks, and constant movement off the ball literally hypnotized the Peruvians, who spent most of their time defending their own penalty area. In the 31st minute, the logical development followed: another multi-pass combination ended with Ferran Torres sprinting down the right flank, his perfect cross found Pedri in the center of the box, and the Barcelona midfielder slotted the ball into an empty net on the first touch — 2-0.
In the second half, de la Fuente used the opportunity for experiments, bringing on four fresh players at once: David Raya replaced Unai Simón in goal, while Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Yeremy Pino entered the field. It was Pino who created the third goal: in the 53rd minute, his cross from the right flank forced Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese into a fatal mistake — instead of clearing the ball, he awkwardly knocked it into his own net. 3-0 — it seemed a rout was inevitable.
However, the Peruvian team, which failed to qualify for the World Cup, finishing only ninth in the South American qualifiers, showed character. In the 66th minute, Eric García made a gross defensive error, letting the ball slip past him. Jairo Vélez immediately capitalized — the Peruvian midfielder went one-on-one with Raya and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner, making the final score 3-1. This goal was the only bright spot for the South Americans on the evening.
Details and statistics
The Spanish national team demonstrated overwhelming dominance, reflected not only on the scoreboard but also in the statistics. Spain's expected goals (xG) were 1.93 against 1.24 for Peru — the difference doesn't look catastrophic, but it was the class of the players and composure in the final third that made the result convincing.
Goal contributions were distributed as follows. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, scoring his 14th goal for the national team in 42 matches. For the Real Sociedad forward, this goal was especially important — it reminded everyone of his scoring talent, which he showcased at Euro 2024. Pedri scored his 9th goal for the national team in 35 appearances in the 32nd minute, confirming his status as one of the best central midfielders in the world. The third goal was an own goal by Pedro Gallese in the 53rd minute — for the experienced 36-year-old goalkeeper, who has over 100 caps for his country, this episode was one of the most unpleasant of his career.
Luis de la Fuente made a massive rotation in the second half, using 16 outfield players. In the 46th minute, David Raya, Eric García, Dani Olmo, and Yeremy Pino came on. In the 60th minute, Martín Zubimendi replaced Rodri, and Gavi replaced Álex Baena. A little later, Mikel Merino, Marc Pubill entered the field, and in the 68th minute, Borja Iglesias, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Pedro Porro came on. Such a number of substitutions is common practice in the last friendlies before a tournament, when the coach aims to give playing time to as many players as possible and avoid injuries.
The goalkeeping line also underwent changes: Unai Simón, the team's starting goalkeeper, kept a clean sheet in the first half without making a single serious save. In the second half, he was replaced by David Raya (Arsenal), who conceded the only goal from Vélez but looked confident overall.
Notably, the injured attacking leaders — Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal — did not take part in the match, as they continue to recover from injuries sustained at the end of the club season. Their absence, however, did not affect the result — Spain's squad depth allows de la Fuente to feel confident even without two key wingers.
Context and significance
This friendly match was Spain's final test before the main tournament of the four-year cycle — the 2026 World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For "La Roja," this game had double significance: on one hand, it was necessary to regain a winning mindset after an unexpected draw with Iraq (1-1) in the previous friendly, which took place in La Coruña on June 4. On the other hand, the match in Puebla was Spain's first game on the North American continent, where they will spend the entire tournament.
The choice of Mexico as the venue was not accidental: of the 78 World Cup matches, 60 will be played in the USA, 10 in Canada, and 8 in Mexico. The Spanish team, which will be based in the USA, decided to hold an acclimatization camp in Puebla, Mexico, where the altitude is about 2,100 meters above sea level. This allowed the players to get used to conditions similar to those awaiting them at some tournament stadiums.
For the Peruvian national team, this match lacked tournament motivation — the team, under Brazilian coach Mano Menezes, failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, finishing second-to-last, ninth place in the South American qualifying group. Nevertheless, for Peruvians, playing against one of the favorites of world football was an invaluable experience and an opportunity to test their strength against the elite. Jairo Vélez's goal was his first for the national team, and this goal will surely stay in his memory for life.
It is also worth noting that the match took place in an atmosphere of a real football festival. Thousands of fans in Spanish and Catalan jerseys filled the stands of the Cuauhtémoc, creating waves and chanting the names of Pedri, Rodri, and Ferran Torres. Peru fans, although outnumbered, remained vocal throughout the evening. Outside the stadium, vendors set up stalls with World Cup merchandise, and heightened security measures did not spoil the festive atmosphere.
What's next / Next match preview
For the Spanish national team, World Cup preparations are complete. Now Luis de la Fuente's team will head to the USA, where they will begin their tournament journey on June 15 with a match against Cape Verde in the group stage.
Spain's opponents in Group H are as follows:
- Cape Verde — a World Cup debutant that sensationally qualified through African qualifying. The team does not have a star-studded squad but is known for disciplined defensive play.
- Saudi Arabia — a team already familiar to Spain: in Qatar at the last World Cup, the Saudis caused one of the biggest upsets in history by beating eventual champions Argentina. Since then, the team has progressed, and the local league has attracted many stars, making the team more dangerous.
- Uruguay — the most uncomfortable opponent in the group. The legendary South American team has retained its core of veterans but also acquired talented youngsters. Uruguay is a team that always gives its maximum in tournaments and can surprise any favorite.
Group stage schedule for Spain (all matches will be played in the USA):
- June 15, 2026: Spain vs. Cape Verde
- June 20, 2026: Saudi Arabia vs. Spain
- June 24, 2026: Spain vs. Uruguay
"La Roja" is the clear favorite of the group, and advancing to the knockout stage is the minimum requirement. However, the group stage holds dangers: African debutants often play unpredictable football, Asian teams gained confidence after Qatar 2022, and Uruguay has never been an easy opponent. Nevertheless, the Spanish are aiming not just to get out of the group but to repeat the success of 2010, when they became world champions.
For the Peruvian national team, no official matches are expected in the near future. Mano Menezes' team will begin preparations for the qualifying cycle for the 2030 World Cup, which will be held on three continents — South America, Europe, and Africa. The next friendlies for Peru will likely take place in the fall of 2026, when the international window resumes.
Editorial prediction
The 3-1 victory over Peru is an important but not the only indicator of Spain's readiness for the World Cup. Much more important is something else: "La Roja" demonstrated the very confidence in their abilities that was lost after the draw with Iraq. De la Fuente's team plays a recognizable, combination football that brought them victory at Euro 2024, and there is no reason to believe that this style will not work at the world championship.
Spain's main trump card is the midfield. Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Fabián Ruiz, and Martín Zubimendi — this is arguably the best central line in the tournament. No other national team can boast such depth and quality in this area. It is the control of the midfield that allows the Spanish to dictate the tempo of any game and force the opponent to defend for most of the match. In the match against Peru, this was especially evident: the South Americans simply could not get the ball for long stretches.
The only area of concern is the defense. The goal conceded from Peru after Eric García's error reminded that concentration is not always maintained throughout all 90 minutes. In games against top opponents, such lapses can be fatal. De la Fuente will likely rely on the Laporte-Cubarsí pairing, but García and a possible return to a three-center-back formation remain options for emergencies.
As for the attack, everything depends on the recovery of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. If both wingers are in optimal form by the start of the tournament, Spain will have not only ball control but also explosive speed on the flanks. In their absence, Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, and Yeremy Pino look decent but do not have the same lethal force. Most likely, de la Fuente will save Yamal and Williams for the knockout stage, using them as needed.
The final prediction for Spain at the 2026 World Cup is at least a semifinal appearance. The tournament bracket may bring surprises, but "La Roja" has every chance to at least repeat the achievement of 2010. Spain's main rivals, besides the traditional giants (Brazil, Argentina, France), will be physically strong teams capable of imposing power football and playing on set pieces. However, with such a midfield and the experience of winning the last two major tournaments (Euro 2024 and Nations League 2023), the Spanish deserve the status of one of the main favorites of the world championship. There is every reason to believe in them.
— Editorial Team
