Midfielder Rodri supported the attacking unit, emphasizing that Spain prevented Cape Verde from creating meaningful counter-attacks.
"There's nothing to reproach the team for," Rodri said. "We generated chances but couldn't put it away; the good thing is they created almost nothing."
Manager Luis de la Fuente acknowledged external pressure but maintained confidence in his tactical philosophy, noting the team's unbeaten streak now stands at 32 matches.
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"Maybe the fact that it was the first game conditioned things," De la Fuente said.
The manager said the squad is motivated by outside criticism and remains highly competitive.
"The players are stung, and tomorrow will be different for sure," De la Fuente said.
De la Fuente also managed the minutes of winger Lamine Yamal, who is returning from a hamstring injury, suggesting he might feature in the second half against Saudi Arabia.
"The good news is that Lamine is back," De la Fuente said.
He dismissed suggestions of an internal crisis, pointing to the team's competitive response to challenges.
"We would be in a better mood if we had won but today we have taken our run to 32 games unbeaten," De la Fuente said.
Zubimendi disputed criticisms regarding Spain's midfield ball circulation speed and expressed full confidence in Rodri's role.
"We were sad those first 24 hours but we have turned it around now," Zubimendi said.
He concluded that precision in the final third would be the deciding factor against Saudi Arabia.
"It was not a brilliant game but nor was it really bad: there are things we can take from it," Zubimendi said.
"We have to come up with improvements, especially that fluidity, that freshness in the final third which I think is going to be the key."
Defender Aymeric Laporte confirmed the squad's collective ambition to secure three points in the upcoming match.
"We were annoyed, which is the way it should be," Laporte said. "But it's also true that we are unbeaten in 32.
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We have the ambition and the confidence to look to the next game, think positively, and try to win, as we always do."
