Spain Cruises Past Serbia in International Friendly

La Roja dominates possession and chances in 3-0 victory over Balkan visitors

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:42am

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Spain, the reigning European champions, cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Serbia in an international friendly match played in Villarreal on Friday night. The home side controlled possession and created numerous chances throughout the match, ultimately securing the win with goals from Pedri, Rodri, and Oyarzabal.

Why it matters

This match served as an important tune-up for Spain as they continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, where they will be among the leading contenders to claim the trophy. The convincing win over Serbia, who struggled to find a foothold in the match, will boost Spain's confidence and provide valuable game time for their star-studded squad.

The details

Spain dominated the proceedings from the opening whistle, enjoying over 70% of the possession and creating a host of clear-cut chances. Pedri opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a well-taken finish, and Rodri doubled the lead just before halftime with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. Oyarzabal added a third goal in the second half to seal the victory for the home side.

  • The match kicked off at 8:45 PM local time (CEST) on Friday, March 27, 2026.
  • Pedri scored the opening goal in the 25th minute.
  • Rodri scored Spain's second goal just before halftime, in the 44th minute.
  • Oyarzabal added the third goal for Spain in the 68th minute.

The players

Pedri

The 23-year-old midfielder opened the scoring for Spain with a well-taken finish in the first half.

Rodri

The Manchester City midfielder doubled Spain's lead just before halftime with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Oyarzabal

The Real Sociedad forward scored Spain's third goal in the second half to seal the victory for the home side.

Veljko Paunović

The Serbia manager, who previously coached in the United States with the Chicago Fire, is tasked with turning around Serbia's fortunes after a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign.

Luis de la Fuente

The Spain manager has continued the team's impressive form since taking over, guiding them to a comfortable win over Serbia in this international friendly.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this would be a tough test, but our players showed their quality and determination from the start. I'm pleased with the performance and the result, as we continue to build towards the World Cup.”

— Luis de la Fuente, Spain Manager

“Spain was simply too strong for us today. We struggled to get a foothold in the game and they punished us for our mistakes. We have work to do, but this experience will help us improve as a team.”

— Veljko Paunović, Serbia Manager

What’s next

Spain will continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with another friendly match against Argentina on June 15th. Serbia, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from this defeat when they take on Croatia in their next international fixture on June 8th.

The takeaway

Spain's dominant display against Serbia underscores their status as one of the favorites for the 2026 World Cup. The reigning European champions showcased their depth, creativity, and clinical finishing, leaving little doubt about their ability to compete at the highest level. For Serbia, this match serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the work they need to do to become a consistent force on the international stage.