Luis de la Fuente insisted there are "no small opponents" at the FIFA World Cup after Spain were held to a shock goalless draw by tournament debutants Cape Verde, admitting his side paid the price for a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.
The European champions dominated possession and created several promising opportunities in Atlanta but failed to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Cape Verde side that defended resolutely to secure a famous point in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The stalemate revived questions about Spain's ability to turn dominance into decisive results on the biggest stage, an issue that has troubled La Roja in recent major tournaments despite their technical quality.
De la Fuente, however, struck a positive tone after the surprise result, insisting his players must learn from the experience rather than dwell on the disappointment.
"In our heads there's positivity and a desire to improve," the Spain coach said. "We should have won today's match with everything that happened, with all the favourable situations we created, but we lacked freshness and clinical edge."
The 65-year-old stressed that Spain must sharpen their attacking instincts ahead of their next Group stage fixture.
"We need to keep growing and gaining rhythm. That's the big goal in the days we have until the next game," he added.
De la Fuente also praised Cape Verde's physicality and defensive organisation, warning against underestimating any team at the World Cup.
"The opponent was a very physically strong team. We knew they were going to set up with a very low block and with very powerful players," he said. "If you add to that the fact that we lacked freshness, then this happens."
"Football is like that – there are no small opponents here."
Spain midfielder Rodri acknowledged that his team had opportunities to claim all three points but lacked the precision needed to convert their superiority into goals.
"The team tried, I think we had good fluidity," Rodri said. "It's about fine-tuning those chances we created, because against a team that sits back so much you're not going to have many, and you know you have to take them. It's that simple."
For Cape Verde, the draw represented a historic achievement against one of the tournament favourites.
With tougher tests to come, De la Fuente's side will need to rediscover their clinical touch quickly if they are to justify their status as contenders for the title.
