Gerard Pique expressed his relief after his late goal gave Spain a 1-0 victory over Czech Republic in their Euro 2016 opener, telling Telecinco: "The ball did not want to go in."
Reigning champions Spain dominated possession almost from start to finish, but Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech was in fine form, twice denying Alvaro Morata, while David Silva, Aritz Aduriz, Jordi Alba and Andres Iniesta also went close.
They made the breakthrough on 87 minutes when Iniesta chipped a chipped a superb cross toward the back post and Pique guided his header into the net from three yards, meaning Spain join Croatia at the top of Group D, ahead of La Roja's second game against Turkey on Friday.
The Barcelona centre-back told Spanish TV channel Telecinco: "We played really well, controlled the game, made lots of chances, but the ball did not want to go in.
"I had the fortune to score the goal, but the team all played very well. We attacked with a lot of order, opened up the field well, and had to keep attacking until the goal came.
"It was a great ball from Iniesta. We wanted to win as we knew it was very important to get three points in first game. Now we will wait on the second game."
Man-of-the-match Iniesta told Telecinco that he would have liked a goal to have come sooner.
"We try not to reach this point," Iniesta said. "We have played many games like this before. We try and push and push and push, so that the defence makes a mistake in the end, and we can score.
"Football is like this -- sometimes you have the ball a lot, and in the end the game tilted our way and we are very happy."
The Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 winner reminded critics of Spain's possession-based style of play that it had brought them plenty of success in the past.
"This is our path," Iniesta said. "We have achieved many successes doing this. It is our way. We have a very good team, can overcome any rival, although it is always difficult. This win will keep us relaxed, these are an important three points, and now we will keep going."
Iniesta was asked if it was important that the goal scorer was Catalan-born Pique, who has often been whistled by Spain fans over the last two seasons for his perceived anti-Madrid feelings.
"I would say for outside things, yes, but the commitment of everyone here is undoubtable," the Barcelona captain replied. "We all want to bring this team as far as we can."
The main selection issue before the game was whether to start long-serving skipper Iker Casillas, with Manchester United No. 1 David De Gea ultimately selected to start his first tournament game.
Sergio Ramos, who captained Spain on the day, told Telecinco that De Gea had deserved his chance to play.
Spain won late vs. Czech Republic but Morata failed to impress, writes @JohnBrewinESPN: https://t.co/W0EsFSCJpm pic.twitter.com/P13bT8GU5O
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 13, 2016
"The boss puts in the best team, he makes the decisions, then we try and do the best possible," Ramos said. "We all try and show our best level. Iker has been with the team for many years, but De Gea has had a great season [with United], is full of confidence, and does well for the national team."
Del Bosque also praised De Gea's performance and added that Porto keeper Casillas had supported his teammate despite not being Spain's first-choice keeper for Spain for the first tournament since Euro 2000.
"De Gea did well," the former Real Madrid coach told Telecinco. "Iker's collaboration in all moments has been fantastic, and he was supporting the team from the bench in all moments."
The victory should help Spain forget their dismal experience at the 2014 World Cup, when they lost their opening game 5-1 to Netherlands and crashed out in the group stage.
Del Bosque rejected concerns about his tactics and player selection, including the largely ineffective Morata.
"I don't think it is difficult to play as a striker," the coach said. "We all have to adapt to a certain style of play. It's fantastic we have such good midfielders and if the forwards have to move, they move and interpret what they are doing."
But Del Bosque said he was happy with "three very important points" and how his team had controlled the game.
"We have started the finals well," he said. "Three very important points. We are still in charge of our own destiny. It was a great result for us. We had the initiative for most of the game, apart from a few moments, so it was strange we had to wait so long for the goal.
"We had some little problems with their centre-forward, but we were able to keep secure at the back. These three points will keep us moving forward towards qualification."
