Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque believes his side proved their doubters wrong by beating France 1-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The reigning world champions produced an accomplished display in Paris to seal all three points as Pedro scored the game's only goal in the 58th minute.
Del Bosque praised his team following the win that took them back to the top of Group I with three games left to play.
"People always have doubts. So this result is important," the 62-year-old told AS after the win.
"We showed conviction to stick to our style. We played very well. We were a bit messy when they had 10 men but everyone played very well."
Spain were dominant throughout but struggled to create chances before Pedro's goal, while France had Paul Pogba sent off in the 78th minute.
Del Bosque singled out Alvaro Arbeloa for particular praise after he kept Franck Ribery quiet for the most part.
"Arbeloa was fantastic up against Ribery," Del Bosque said.
With their next World Cup qualifier not until September, Del Bosque has turned his attentions to June's Confederations Cup.
"The next step is the Confederations Cup and then we must prepare for the remaining World Cup qualification games. We have three games left and we have to finish the job," he said.
Despite scoring the goal that won Spain the clash, Pedro was unhappy he was not given a penalty after appearing to be brought down by Hugo Lloris in the first half.
"For me it was a penalty," the Barcelona attacker told AS.
"I have seen it on camera. He (Lloris) touched me and I rolled."
On his goal, Pedro said: "I'm not sure how I did it, but I managed to touch the ball in. The most important thing is we won."
France coach Didier Deschamps defended striker Karim Benzema, who has failed to score for his country since June 2012.
The Real Madrid man was booed off when he was substituted in the 82nd minute.
"It's a debate. He did good things even if obviously he did not find the back of the net," Deschamps told a news conference.
"But his team-mates managed to find him and he took part in the construction of the game."
Pogba was left shattered by his sending off and believes he did not deserve to be given his marching orders.
"I don't agree with the referee's decision but it is the responsibility of the referee to make it," he said.
"I can't do nothing about the red card and I am devastated. For me, it wasn't the right decision, but I have to accept it, that is football."
