▲ Spain national football team
The Spanish national football team, considered a strong contender to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeated Peru in their final warm-up match ahead of the tournament's group stage.
Spain, ranked 2nd in the FIFA rankings, secured a 3-1 victory against Peru (ranked 51st) in a friendly match held today (June 9) at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico.
Spain, placed in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay, concluded their two friendly matches in June with one win and one draw (a 1-1 draw against Iraq and a 3-1 win against Peru) before heading to the main stage.
The 18-year-old rising star Lamine Yamal, who is focusing on rehabilitation for a left hamstring injury, along with Nico Williams, who suffered a muscle injury, and Victor Munoz, who is experiencing thigh pain, were excluded from the match roster.
Instead of traveling to Puebla, Mexico, for the friendly against Peru, they remained at the base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to focus on their rehabilitation training.
Yamal, a key attacking asset for Barcelona (Spain), collapsed on the pitch clutching the back of his left thigh after attempting a penalty kick during the La Liga Round 32 match against Celta Vigo on April 23.
Having opted to sit out the remainder of the season, Yamal was included in Spain's final roster announced on May 26 and is focusing on his rehabilitation in preparation for his first-ever World Cup appearance.
Spain took an early lead just two minutes into the first half when Mikel Oyarzabal struck a left-footed long-range shot from the center of the penalty arc into the top right corner of the Peruvian goal.
In the 32nd minute, Spain extended their lead when Pedri rushed into the center of the penalty area to redirect a cross from Ferran Torres, who had penetrated the right side of the box, with his left foot.
After finishing the first half with a 2-0 lead, Spain increased the score to 3-0 in the 8th minute of the second half. A cross from Yeremy Pino, who broke into the right side of the penalty area, was deflected by Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, resulting in an own goal.
Peru avoided a shutout in the 21st minute of the second half when Jairo Velez broke through Spain's final defensive line and scored with a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.