Spain attacker Juan Mata has admitted that his team needed to 'win ugly' in Tuesday's Euro 2016 qualifier away to Macedonia.
Mata's eighth-minute effort, which went down as an own goal to Macedonia goalkeeper Tome Pacovski, secured all three points for La Roja, who are now on the brink of qualification.
The Manchester United midfielder conceded that "it wasn't the prettiest game", but was pleased with the victory.
"[The victory] demanded a lot of us. We knew they were going to press, but they were also aggressive and played with intensity," Mata told reporters.
"It wasn't the prettiest game but we did our homework and are now very close to qualifying."
Spain are now two points clear of second-placed Slovakia in Group C and five ahead of third-placed Ukraine with two games remaining.
