Spain wrapped up its World Cup preparations with a 3-1 victory over Peru, heading into the tournament as one of the leading contenders for the title.

THE UNBEATABLE TEAM

La Roja arrives as a genuine championship candidate not only as the reigning European champion, but also thanks to an unbeaten streak that now stretches to 26 months.

In total, Spain has gone 30 matches without defeat since Luis de la Fuente's side suffered a 1-0 loss to Colombia at Wembley in a friendly on March 22, 2024.

Since then, Spain has recorded 23 wins and seven draws. There is, however, one caveat: Portugal defeated Spain in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, but only after a penalty shootout victory (5-4) following a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time.

It was a match in which Spain took the lead twice but ultimately failed to retain the title it had won in 2023.

WITHOUT ITS STARS AND WITH HEAVY ROTATION

Against Portugal, Spain fielded a starting lineup featuring six players who are not expected to start the World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15. Two were returning from injury — Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams — one is projected to begin the tournament on the bench, with Rodri expected to start ahead of Martín Zubimendi, and three defenders — Óscar Mingueza, Robin Le Normand and Dean Huijsen — are not part of the World Cup squad.

Looking back at Spain's last defeat 26 months ago, only two members of that starting XI are expected to start in the upcoming World Cup opener, while five others remain part of the current squad.

Against Colombia, De la Fuente opted not to field his strongest lineup, leaving key players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz and Unai Simón on the bench.

The extensive rotation was typical of a friendly match and resulted in only the second defeat of De la Fuente's tenure as Spain head coach. The first had come in just his second match in charge.

That setback was a 2-0 loss to Scotland, a game in which De la Fuente sought to give opportunities to many of the internationals called up for his first squad. The criticism that followed now feels like a distant memory, especially after Spain's triumph at Euro 2024.

MORE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM

The victory further strengthens Spain's status as one of the favorites to challenge for the World Cup title as it pursues a second star, 16 years after lifting its first World Cup trophy in South Africa.

Since the defeat to Colombia, Spain has put together a remarkable run of 30 consecutive matches without a loss, scoring 81 goals and conceding just 27.

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