Peru vs Spain: Preview and Prediction

June 9, 2026. 05:00. Mexico. Puebla. Cuauhtémoc.
Friendly match

Peru – Spain

Where to watch: MEGOGO

Injured: Miguel Araujo, Joao Grimaldo, Alex Valera – Pablo Barrios, Fermin Lopez, Ander Barrenetchea, Samu Agejova

Peru

From 2015 to 2022, Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca led the Incas, demonstrating solid results and a lot of excitement for the fans. The modest Peruvian team reached the semifinals of the Copa America three times, finishing third, second and fourth, and then qualified for the 2018 World Cup final. However, they failed to beat Qatar, losing to Australia on penalties in the intercontinental play-off. Gareca left and the team struggled after that.

Between 2022 and 2025, five different coaches took charge. In early 2026, he was replaced by the experienced Brazilian Manu Menezes. Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, collecting just 12 points from 18 matches and finishing second from bottom. Perhaps that was for the best, given their decision in November to play the match against the terrorist state away.

Menezes made his debut in a friendly in March. The first ended in a 2–0 defeat to Senegal in Paris. A few days later in Leganés, the team drew 2-2 with a lowly Honduras, twice leading and conceding a goal at the end of injury time. At the third attempt, Peru finally won under their new coach, defeating 2026 World Cup participants Haiti 2-1, both goals coming after or as a sum of.

Spain

Luis de la Fuente's team played Iraq in a friendly in A Coruña before heading to North America. The coach rested most of his squad for the World Cup, giving seven players their debuts. Bookmakers priced Spain at 1.03, but the match ended in a draw. It highlighted how pointless predictions are in games where coaches care little about the outcome.

Spain dominated the game overall and created several chances but only scored once, with Ferran Torres putting them ahead in the 16th minute. Iraq equalised with Mercan Doski's lucky shot from the left that surprised goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Spain had missed at least two clear-cut chances before half-time. After the break, a largely changed line-up created more chances, but the score remained unchanged.

It was Spain's second consecutive home draw in a friendly. They failed to beat Egypt in March despite intense pressure, finishing 0-0. Their unbeaten run has now stretched to over two years, spanning 29 matches, 21 of which have been wins. They could extend that streak here and repeat their official unbeaten run that began in March 2023.

Peru vs. Spain: Probable Lineups

The lineups will be updated closer to kick-off.

Peru vs. Spain: Author's Prediction

This will be the third meeting between Peru and Spain. The first two, in 2004 and 2008, were also friendlies, with Spain winning both 2-1. The Spaniards remain the clear favorites. However, recent results under de la Fuente leave some doubts about another victory. Experimentation with the squad will continue, and several members of the World Cup squad will miss this match. The kick-off time is also not particularly satisfying, as the 4am kick-off shortly after arrival is hardly ideal. However, Peru is unlikely to break Spain's long unbeaten streak.