Shaky Spain holds on to vanquish Ukraine

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has given an optimistic line about his side's current state of form as it works to qualify for the 2016 European Championships.

Del Bosque was speaking in the wake of a disappointing 1-0 win at home over Ukraine, which although it gave the Spanish qualification hopes an important boost, did little to dispel the feeling that his side has shaken off the depression following its early exit from last summer's World Cup.

"Before we were perfect and now the people are fixed more on what's bad than what's good," said del Bosque, who believes that is a false impression.

"We are doing some things very well as Spain are not that far from what they were," he said, adding the side wanted to qualify for next summer to defend its title "with a team that is capable and ready to compete."

Looking back at Friday's 1-0 win, del Bosque said Spain played a good first half but lacked tempo after halftime.

"We all know that Spain suffers when they do not have the ball. It is not a secret. I do not want to justify anything, but it is not easy. New people have arrived, we are making adjustments and we had not played for four months," he said.

The best news for Spain was the debut goal for striker, Alvaro Morata, who has progressed over the recent season and who looks to have a long future with the national side.

"He has everything to establish himself as a scorer ... Morata is one of those who is ready to play and perform with the senior national team," he said.

Spain's next game is a friendly against the Netherlands, a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final which Spain won, but also of last summer's 5-1 defeat which set the tone for Spain's disastrous 2014 World Cup.