David Villa saved his own blushes with a clinical second-half goal as European champions Spain began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Murcia.
Villa made amends for a missed first-half penalty with a pinpoint finish just before the hour mark as Spain picked up three points in Vicente del Bosque's first competitive match in charge.
Spain, who are now unbeaten in 24 games, were full value for their win but did not find it easy to breakdown a well-organised Bosnia-Herzegovina defense.
The Spanish controlled both possession and territory in the early stages but it was actually underdogs Bosnia-Herzegovina who threatened first in the 17th minute when Samir Muratovic got in behind the home defense.
However, Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was quickly out to thwart the danger before Admir Vladavic's resulting cross drifted harmlessly wide of the far post.
Hosts Spain, lacking injured forwards Fernando Torres and David Silva, had to wait until the 26th minute to test visiting goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic, who even then did not have to move far to collect Xavi's downward header.
Spain went much closer to the game's opening goal moments after that though when Marcos Senna created space for himself 30 yards out before smashing in a swerving, dipping thunderbolt which struck the top of Hasagic's crossbar before flying over.
The Iberian nation were unlucky on that occasion but they really should have been ahead in the 35th minute when Diego Capel went to ground inside the box under a challenge from Muratovic, earning the home side a penalty.
But the chance was wasted as Villa, taking only a couple of steps run-up, dragged his spot-kick wide of Hasagic's right-hand post.
Spain stepped up through the gears in the second half following a low-key display in the opening 45 minutes, and Iniesta almost found the breakthrough soon after the restart when he evaded Edin Dzeko before forcing Hasagic to block well.
Del Bosque's troops did not have to wait much longer to take the lead though, with Villa netting a tricky chance in the 58th minute.
The Valencia man looked to have gone too far after latching on to Cesc Fabregas' through ball and skipping past Hasagic, but from the tightest of angles the Euro 2008 leading scorer managed to slot home.
That was Villa's 19th goal in his 37th international and proved to be the match-winner, despite Spain continuing to push forward for a second.
Iniesta and Capel both fired efforts over the bar for the hosts before substitute Santi Cazorla did well to reach a cross but could not get the power or direction to beat Hasagic.
A second Spanish goal was looking increasingly likely though, and it should have come in the 75th minute when Senna's long-range piledriver was pushed back out into the danger zone by Hasagic.
The loose ball fell between Villa and Joan Capdevila but with the goal at their mercy, the two players got in each others' way and the chance was lost.
At the other end, Spain had few scares in the second half and although they were unable to add to their one-goal advantage, it was ultimately a fairly comfortable victory for Del Bosque's men.
