MADRID - Coach Luis Aragones insists Spain are not taking anything for granted in their quest to reach the European Championship finals, even after his side's potentially crucial victory over Denmark on Saturday.
In a match that Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas had described in the build-up as their most important since last year's World Cup, Aragones' men produced an impressive performance to beat the Danes 3-1 in Aarhus.
That victory kept Spain level with Group F leaders Sweden on 22 points, six points clear of third-placed Northern Ireland and eight points above fourth-placed Denmark.
But the Iberian nation have played a game more than all their rivals and must take on Sweden and Northern Ireland in their final two qualifiers.
Aragones knows the job is not finished just yet.
"Until it is mathematically certain, you have not qualified and I am not going to consider that we have," said the veteran coach, who admits his side were made to work for their victory by the battling Danes.
"I am happy about the first half. In the second we had luck, although we also had some chances on the counter-attack."
Spain have now won six of their last seven qualifiers, drawing the other, to rocket up the standings following miserable start to their campaign.
Despite that run, Aragones has still not had an easy ride, with almost constant speculation about his position hounding him since the World Cup.
The 69-year-old concedes that certain aspects are part of the sport, but he also feels some have gone too far.
"I accept the criticism, but there have been insults which I don't feel are correct and which I don't accept," he said.
"I have gone through the experience with the calmness that the years have given me, but there have been people close to me who have lived through it differently."
Espanyol duo Raul Tamudo and Albert Riera played key roles in the victory over Denmark.
Tamudo, who was only playing because of the injuries to David Villa and Fernando Torres, put his side ahead after just 14 minutes before setting up Sergio Ramos for Spain's second five minutes before half-time.
Substitute Riera then wrapped up the win with a left-footed thunderbolt from the edge of the area late on, killing off any hopes of a Denmark fightback after the home side had reduced the deficit to 2-1 following Jon Dahl Tomasson's 87th-minute strike.
Riera, who was making his Spain debut, struck his goal so sweetly that he was celebrating before it hit the back of the net.
"I think it was a very good goal, as soon as it left my foot I thought it was going in and I did not even see it go in - I was celebrating with my team-mates," he said.
"I am in good form, as much with my club as with the national team, and I hope to continue like that."
Espanyol captain Tamudo added: "Taking the lead so quickly was the key to obtaining the victory.
"In the second half, we suffered more but at no moment did the victory look in danger to us."
Denmark had a number of chances to get back into the game, but found Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas or the woodwork in their path.
Coach Morten Olsen was disappointed with his side's overall showing and admits they needed to make much more of the opportunities they created.
"We were not good, we have not played our game, especially in the first half," he said.
"Even then we had a lot of chances, but if you don't take advantage of them against a team like Spain, you end up paying for it."
