Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has admitted that his team were deservedly beaten by South Africa following the 1-0 defeat in Johannesburg.

The reigning world champions suffered their first ever defeat to Bafana Bafana, as Bernard Parker's 56th-minute strike ensured that La Roja would not enjoy a happy return to Soccer City - the venue where Del Bosque's men clinched the World Cup over the Netherlands in 2010.

He told reporters: "Maybe we deserved defeat. We came out with good intentions and we fought right until the end.

"I can't have any complaints about our efforts, but they worked a bit harder and were a bit better than us tonight."

Spain will now prepare for defending their crown in Brazil next summer, having played the last of their remaining international fixtures for this year.

Written by
Shane Callaghan