Spanish footballers surprised by extended anthem before match with Peru. Before the start of the Spain vs Peru match in Puebla, an extended version of the anthem was played. The players’ reactions were caught on camera and sparked discussion on social media. This unusual episode became one of the most talked-about moments of the encounter.
Before the start of the friendly match between the national teams of Spain and Peru in Puebla, Mexico, fans and the press were drawn not to the football itself, but to the national anthem ceremony. Organizers played an unusually long version of the Spanish anthem—it lasted more than two minutes, which stood out noticeably from the usual format at international matches.
The Spanish players could not hide their surprise: in the live broadcast footage, sidelong glances, restrained smiles, and even clear gestures of bewilderment were seen. As commentator Juan Carlos Rivero noted, it was specifically the "long version" of the anthem that played, which immediately became a topic of discussion among viewers and on social media.
The video recording of the players' reactions quickly spread online. Users commented on the situation with irony, comparing the anthem’s length to moments in the game: “The Spanish anthem lasted longer than Peru managed to avoid conceding a goal,”—such messages gained popularity in Spanish-language communities. The episode became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening, despite the match being only a warm-up.
Details like these during ceremonies sometimes prompt discussion not only among fans, but also in professional circles. The French national team encountered a similar situation during a friendly match against Ireland, when not only the gameplay but also organizational details drew attention— as previously reported by russpain.com.
For reference: the official anthem of Spain, the “Marcha Real” (Royal March), is one of the few in the world with no official lyrics. At sporting events, a short version is usually played, lasting about 30 seconds. The extended version is rarely used and may cause confusion among ceremony participants. Such incidents highlight the importance of protocol details even during unofficial matches, and demonstrate how quickly unusual moments become topics of discussion in the digital age.
