As both sides lined up for one of their final outings before the World Cup kicks off, many in their ranks were eager to impress.
Pedro Porro saw a powerful drive blocked inside the first minute, before Egypt went straight up the other end and almost caught out David Raya with an arrow from distance by Mohanad Lasheen.
A couple of further chances soon went the way of the hosts – who were forced to move this match from Qatar to the Barcelonian outskirts at the last minute – but some flying defensive challenges prevented Shobeir from having too much to deal with.
The sides were surprisingly even in chances and possession after that, but there was no denying that Egypt had the best chance of the half.
Starring in Mohamed Salah’s absence, Omar Marmoush wriggled away from some challenges on the edge of the area, before turning and firing back across goal, only to see his strike thump against the base of the post.
A goal there wouldn’t have been undeserved for the hardworking visitors, who showed their valiance again just before the break when Hamdy Fathy slid in to deny Ferran Torres a simple tap-in.
A host of attacking changes at half time made Spain look immediately stronger, but Egypt’s man between the sticks wasn’t willing to yield. Fermín López received it on the edge of the area and worked his way through the box, only for Shobeir to touch his eventual shot a whisker wide.
Pedri was also then kept out on two occasions, before Cristhian Mosquera headed just over from Dani Olmo’s cross.
Spain’s chances of stealing the win were given a boost late on though, as Fathy fouled Borja Iglesias and then sarcastically applauded the referee, leading to a second red card.
There was still time for Shobeir to pull out another save in tipping Alejandro Grimaldo’s free-kick onto the bar, sealing the stalemate.
The result extends Spain’s unbeaten run to a remarkable 28 matches, though they will have to improve their levels if they are to do better than their exits before the quarter-finals in each of the last three tournaments.
Egypt, meanwhile, will be merely looking for a first-ever World Cup victory on just their second appearance at the finals since 1990.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt)