Spain’s efforts were thwarted by a superb Egypt goalkeeper.
The Spanish team was forced into a goalless stalemate by an Egyptian squad, reduced to ten players, in their concluding pre-World Cup 2026 warm-up match on home turf.
La Roja had comfortably overcome Serbia the previous week in an encounter that substituted for their aborted Finalissima contest against Argentina. However, they found themselves stymied in Barcelona by the formidable African giants, boasting seven titles.
Hamdi Fathy was expelled for a subsequent cautionable infringement with merely six minutes remaining in regulation. Nevertheless, an outstanding showing from Oufa Shobeir between the sticks for Egypt ensured the North African team salvaged a tie.
The opening period saw Egypt create the most significant opportunity when Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, spearheading the attack due to the sidelined Mohamed Salah, rattled the woodwork with a blistering low effort.
Yet, Spain appeared considerably stronger in the latter period, with Shobeir parrying a shot from incoming player Fermin Lopez just off target to the right. Prior to this, his Barcelona colleague Pedri had been thwarted on two occasions by immediate reactions from the Egyptian shot-stopper.
Islam Issa was stretchered off the field, a misfortune for the visiting team, yet their net remained miraculously unbreached, with Cristhian Mosquera nodding high and Rodri pulling a long-range shot off target.
Fathy’s expulsion, following his foul just outside the penalty zone, seemed to portend a breakthrough. However, after Shobeir deflected Alejandro Grimaldo’s free-kick effort onto the crossbar, the European champions lost their momentum and ultimately became devoid of inspiration.