Spain Refines Motors in Puebla: Solid Victory Against Peru Prepares the Ground for the 2026 World Cup

La Roja closes its preparation with a resounding victory, dispelling doubts and raising morale ahead of the World Cup debut.

The Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla witnessed the Spanish team's final test before embarking on the 2026 World Cup adventure. In a friendly duel against Peru, the national team sealed a convincing 3-1 victory, a result that not only added to the scoreboard, but also provided a crucial boost of confidence and cohesion to the group. This meeting served as the final brushstroke on the canvas of preparation, allowing Luis de la Fuente to outline the final details and the players to feel the competitive pace that awaits them.

The victory, built on goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri and an own goal from Gallese, sends a clear message: Spain is ready. The debut against Cape Verde on June 15 (6:00 p.m.) is already on the horizon, and this match against the Peruvian team has served to consolidate the game plan and for the squad to assimilate the pressure and responsibility of representing the country in the most important tournament in world football.

The starting lineup presented some of the unknowns surrounding the team, especially in goal. Unai Simón, one of the captains, emerged as the guardian of the Spanish goal, a decision that underlines the coach's confidence in his experience and leadership. Despite discussions about his performance at club level, De la Fuente has chosen to maintain stability in such a critical position. Joan García and David Raya position themselves as the alternatives, ready to intervene if the situation requires it.

The rest of the eleven largely resembled what was expected, with the notable inclusion of Baena in the starting lineup. In the absence of the young promise Lamine Yamal, the Atlético de Madrid player demonstrated his worth, starting from the start even ahead of Dani Olmo, who seems to establish himself as a high-level replacement option. This versatility in attack will be a fundamental asset for Spain throughout the tournament.

La Roja's first blow came early, courtesy of Mikel Oyarzabal. The San Sebastian attacker once again demonstrated his love affair with the national team, needing just a few minutes to leave his mark on the scoreboard. After a recovery in the center of the field, Oyarzabal advanced with determination and, without hesitation, connected a powerful and precise shot that beat the Peruvian goalkeeper. A promising start that injected morale into the team.

However, the meeting was not without nuances. The Spanish defense, with the Cubarsí-Laporte duo in the central axis, still shows signs of adaptation. The French center back, recovering from a knee injury, showed moments of positional hesitation, something that the Peruvian team tried to capitalize on. Despite these details, the positive news overshadowed the concerns.

The connection between Pedri and Rodri in midfield was one of the great revelations. Pedri's ability to go down to receive the ball and partner with Rodri is a formula that promises success, bringing control and fluidity to the Spanish game. Pedri, in addition to being the architect of the game, also had the luxury of scoring the second goal in the 32nd minute, extending the lead and demonstrating his offensive impact.

Ferran Torres was another of the outstanding figures of the first half. His tireless work in pressing, added to his individual imbalance, brought a different dimension to the Spanish attack. His energy and determination were contagious, and his presence on the field created constant threats to the opposing defense. The first half ended with a scare, when Oyarzabal was stamped on just before halftime, forcing his substitution at the start of the second half.

Technical Sheet:

	Spain	Peru
Result	3	1
Goals	Oyarzabal (2′), Pedri (32′), Gallese (pp) (53′)	Jairo Vélez (66′)
Spain Lineup	Unai Simón (David Raya, m.46); Marcos Llorente (Pedro Porro, m.69), Cubarsí (Marc Pubill, m.61), Laporte (Eric García, m.46); Cucurella (Grimaldo, m.69); Rodri (Zubimendi, m.61), Pedri (Mikel Merino, m.61), Fabián (Dani Olmo, m.46); Ferrán Torres (Borja Iglesias, m.69), Oyarzabal (Yeremy Pino, m.46) and Baena (Gavi, m.61).
Peru Lineup	Gallese; Marcos López (Matias Zegarra, m.87), Renzo Garcés, Fabio Gruber, Oliver Sonne (Marco Huaman, m.87); Jesús Pretell (Rodrigo Vilca, m.87), Noriega (Alfonso Barco, m.62), Yotún (André Carrillo, m.62) ; Jairo Vélez (Jairo Concha, m.87), Vidales (Maxloren Castro, m.62) and Ugarriza (Quiroz, m.75).
Referee	Fernando Hernández Gómez (Mexico). He admonished Renzo Garcés (m.86).
Stadium	Cuauhtémoc Stadium, Puebla (Mexico)

The second half saw how Luis de la Fuente continued with his rotation policy, seeking to manage the wear and tear of his players. The entry of David Raya in goal marked the end of the unbeaten record, since the goalkeeper conceded a goal in an isolated play. However, before that, Spain had extended their lead thanks to a cross from Yeremy Pino that forced Gallese to put the ball into his own goal in the 53rd minute.

Despite numerous changes, Spanish dominance was maintained. The emergence of Gavi and Zubimendi in the midfield provided freshness and dynamism, consolidating control of the match. These young talents, along with other teammates, lead a generation that, although still under construction, is emerging as a serious contender in the World Cup. The victory against Peru, although not dazzling, reaffirms Spain among the favorites for the title.

Luis de la Fuente's next decisions will focus on defining the centre-back pairing for the debut. Despite a small mistake that cost Peru the goal, Pubill and Eric García showed flashes of solidity. However, the harmony between Cubarsí and Laporte in the first half suggests that they could be the chosen ones. In the remaining days, the priority will be the recovery of Lamine Yamal, whose participation is awaited with great expectation, since he is called to be one of the sensations of the tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What was the final result of the friendly match between Spain and Peru?: The final result was 3-1 in favor of Spain.
Who were Spain's scorers in the match?: Spain's goals were scored by Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri and an own goal Gallese.
When and where was the match played?: The match was played on June 9, 2026 in it Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla, Mexico.
Which goalkeeper started for Spain and who was his replacement?: The starting goalkeeper was Unai Simonand was replaced by David Raya in the 46th minute.
Which Peruvian player scored the only goal for his team?: Peru's goal was scored by Jairo Velez in the 66th minute.
How important is this match for the Spanish team?: This match was the last friendly of Spain before the 2026 World Cup, serving to refine details and gain confidence.
Against whom does Spain debut in the 2026 World Cup?: Spain debuts in the 2026 World Cup against Cape Verde on June 15.
Which young player from Spain was featured in the starting lineup?: Baena He was highlighted for his ownership, even ahead of Dani Olmo in the absence of Lamine Yamal.
Were there any warnings during the game?: Yes, the Peruvian player Renzo Garces He was cautioned in the 86th minute.
Which Spanish player was injured during the match?: Mikel Oyarzabal He received a stomp just before half-time, which led to his substitution.