When Mikel Oyarzabal, forward for Spain opened the scoring against Peru last Monday, it wasn’t just another friendly goal. It was a statement of intent.
The match took place on June 8, 2026, at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 looming just days away, Spain needed to look sharp. They delivered a 3-1 victory that felt less like a warm-up and more like a rehearsal for dominance.
Here’s the thing: fans across the globe scrambled to find where they could watch. The broadcasting landscape was a bit of a mess, with conflicting reports on US channels and pay-per-view hurdles in the UK. But once you tuned in, the story on the pitch was clear. Spain, under head coach Luis de la Fuente, looked comfortable, controlled, and dangerous.
A Dominant Display Before the Big Stage
Context matters here. Spain entered this fixture as the reigning European champions after their handsome triumph at Euro 2024. They had qualified for the World Cup with ease, but confidence can be fragile in international tournaments. This game was their final test before heading into Group H.
The details of the match tell a tale of two halves. In the opening stages, Spain struck quickly. Mikel Oyarzabal found the net first, followed shortly by Pedri. Pedri’s second goal came from a precise cross, doubling Spain’s lead to 2-0. Then, chaos struck for Peru. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese
Peru, managed by a coaching staff trying to gel a squad built around stars like Yoshimar Yotun and André Carrillo (though Carrillo didn't start), fought back. In the second half, Jairo Velez scored a consolation goal, pulling one back to make it 3-1. But despite easing off the intensity after the break, Spain stayed in complete control. They comfortably closed out the victory, proving they have the depth and tactical flexibility to handle different styles of play. Referee Fernando Hernandez
If you tried to catch this game live, you might have experienced some frustration. The rights distribution for friendlies is notoriously fragmented, and this match was no exception. In the United States, the situation was confusing. One major preview guide stated there were "no streaming avenues" and labeled the US row as "Not televised." Turns out, that wasn't entirely accurate. Several outlets confirmed the match was available on FS2 at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Viewers could also stream it via Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, ViX, and FOX Sports’ digital platforms (FOX One, website, and app). Some sources even mentioned a three-day free trial option for FOX services, making it accessible for cord-cutters. Across the Atlantic, UK fans faced a different hurdle. The match kicked off at 2:00 a.m. BST on Tuesday, June 9 (or 3:00 a.m. according to some listings). It wasn’t on free-to-air television. Instead, it was available via Amazon Prime Video on a pay-per-view basis. That means a small fee was required to access the stream, a model that’s becoming increasingly common for non-broadcast rights matches. For viewers in Canada, options included DAZN Canada, TLN, FuboTV Canada, and VIVA. In Mexico, where the match was played, ESPN Mexico and Disney+ Premium Mexico carried the broadcast. And for Spain’s domestic audience, the national broadcaster RTVE showed the game on TVE La 1 and RTVE Play, alongside Movistar+ and fuboTV España. This friendly was the calm before the storm. Now, Spain turns its attention to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament features 48 national teams, expanding the competition and raising the stakes. Spain is in Group H, and their schedule is set. Here’s when and where you can catch them next: All World Cup games will be streamed on FOX One in the US. For Spanish fans, the coverage continues on TVE and Movistar+. The expectation? High. After beating Peru 3-1 and dominating Euro 2024, Spain are considered overwhelming favorites to go deep in the tournament. But football is unpredictable. As James Cormack, freelance soccer writer for Sports Illustrated FC, noted, Spain’s excitement is understandable, but the World Cup brings new pressures. The friendly against Peru showed they have the tools to win. Now they need to apply them against tougher opposition. Spain defeated Peru 3-1 in the international friendly held at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico. Goals were scored by Mikel Oyarzabal, Pedri, and an own goal by Pedro Gallese for Spain, while Jairo Velez scored Peru's only goal. All FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including Spain’s games, will be streamed on FOX One in the United States. Linear television coverage may vary, but FOX One is the primary digital destination for the tournament from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It served as Spain’s final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup 2026. As reigning European champions, Spain used the game to test their tactics and player combinations against a South American side, providing insight into their readiness for the global tournament. Pedro Gallese, Peru’s starting goalkeeper, inadvertently extended Spain’s lead to 3-0 with an own goal early in the match. This error highlighted the pressure Spain applied in the opening stages, forcing mistakes from the Peruvian defense. The match kicked off at 2:00 a.m. BST on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in the United Kingdom. Some listings cited 3:00 a.m., but the majority of sources confirmed the 2:00 a.m. start time for UK viewers watching via Amazon Prime Video PPV.The Broadcasting Headache: Where Did You Watch?
What’s Next for La Roja?
Frequently Asked Questions
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