Spanish media reacted with relief late Monday in their online editions after the defending champions edged through to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 tightrope-walk over Croatia.
"Suffering towards the quarters," was the verdict of sports daily AS which was not impressed with the overall performance.
"A goal from Navas three minutes from time relieved a Spain which did not play well and was a bundle of nerves for much of the match," added AS.
El Pais daily gave thanks for two good saves from reliable keeper Iker Casillas as he kept the score goalless before Navas finally rescued the situation.
"Casillas avoids catastrophe," was El Pais' verdict.
Marca sports magazine was also relieved as it admitted in an editorial: "We suffered like never before but we won as always," in allusion to glory at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, triumphs which did away with four decades of underachievement.
Source: AFP
