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Juan Mata downplays Spain's England defeat

Mata downplays England defeat
© PA Photos
Juan Mata insists that Spain have not lost their identity after losing to England.

Chelsea's Juan Mata has said that Spain have not lost their identity following their friendly loss to England on Saturday.

The European champions enjoyed the lion's share of possession at Wembley, but were unable to find the back of the net as England captain Frank Lampard fired his side ahead after the break.

However, the Spaniard insists that nothing has changed following the result.

"England did not surprise us," he told reporters. "We know they will be one of the favourites to win Euro 2012 in terms of their history and the squad they have.

"We tried to play in the way we know and tried to score, but they scored with their first chance.

"Our team has not lost its identity. We know that our last two friendlies have not gone well, but we have done better in official matches."

Spain travel to Costa Rica on Tuesday to take on Bryan Ruiz and company.

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