Spain head coach Vicente del Bosque was not impressed despite seeing his side edge to a 1-0 win over Macedonia in Skopje.
An own goal from home goalkeeper Tome Pacovski gifted the Spaniards all three points in their Euro 2016 qualifier, which sent them two points clear at the top of Group C.
However, Del Bosque said: "We didn't play well and we have done the basic things of football badly and we have won by chance.
"It's difficult to give an explanation.
"Macedonia played well, they had a lot of energy and their merit was to stop us from playing our game."
The former Real Madrid boss did not have any hesitation over starting goalkeeper David de Gea, who has not played for Manchester United since a friendly against Paris St Germain on July 29.
"I was certain that De Gea would do well, I had no fear because he is matured and has a good background," he said.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa once again struggled in front of goal and has now scored just one goal in nine appearances for La Roja.
To compound his misery, he was booked on Tuesday and will miss Spain's qualifier against Luxembourg next month.
"Diego (Costa) has played the same as the others," added Del Bosque. "Once we scored, we stopped, we were slow."
Spain host Luxembourg on October 9 and end their qualifying campaign away to Ukraine three days later.
Source: PA
