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European big guns stumble in World Cup warm-ups

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 Monday because of fitness concerns.

Thursday's (Friday AEST) result ‌was a ‌subdued send-off on home soil before they travel ​to North America on Friday, 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.

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.

France, who were on a nine-match unbeaten streak, next face Northern Ireland ​in a final warm-up game in ​Lille on ⁠Monday.

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.

Meanwhile, World Cup co-hosts Mexico rallied after conceding a 19th-minute goal to smash Serbia 5-1 in their final tune-up for the tournament. Mexico's victory came after they defeated the Socceroos 1-0 in front of almost 80,000 fans in Pasadena, California.

And Iran will head off to their World Cup base this weekend with a spring in their step after beating Mali 2-0 ‌in a friendly in Turkey on Thursday.

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