Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia makes debut as Spain play goalless draw against Egypt
Certainly one of the games of all time
Spain's goalkeeper #18 Joan Garcia kicks the ball during the international friendly football match between Spain and Egypt at RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, near Barcelona, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Lluis GENE / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Six Barcelona players were in action in Spain’s final match of the international break as La Roja played a goalless draw against a Mohamed Salah-less Egypt at Espanyol’s RCDE Stadium on Tuesday night in what will certainly go down in history as one of the games of all time. 🏁 Full-time at the RCDE Stadium!
All square at the final whistle. 🇪🇸 🆚 🇪🇬 | 0-0 | 90+6’ #VamosEspaña pic. twitter.
com/CMnQnucygM — Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) March 31, 2026 Lamine Yamal was somehow named in the starting lineup alongside Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, but the teenager was thankfully replaced at halftime along with Olmo, who saw his club teammate Fermín López take his place for the second half. Pedri also played the final 45 minutes, while Ferran lasted an hour before being replaced by Borja Iglesias. Pau Cubarsí did not feature and stayed on the bench, thankfully.
The highlight from a Barça perspective was the international debut of Joan Garcia, who came on with a half-hour to go and had somewhat of a mixed reception thanks to his controversial switch from Espanyol to Barça last summer. It was certainly the loudest the stadium got all night, because the 90 minutes were almost unwatchable with very little quality and a whole lot of fouls. Thankfully no Barça players were injured or had to play extended minutes, and they’ll all return in one piece for the season’s stretch run.