A wounded Spain will seek to get their World Cup campaign back on course when they face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his players had felt the impact of criticism after a goalless draw against World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match.
The European champions arrived in North America among the tournament favourites, but with Lamine Yamal limited to a second-half appearance on his return from injury, La Roja failed to find a breakthrough against the African side.
De la Fuente, who described his squad as the best in the world before the tournament, said Spain would produce a stronger display against Saudi Arabia.
“This generation of footballers is highly competitive and really fired up. It is going to be a completely different story,” he told a pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“There is no drama or crisis. The bottom line is simply that we need to win tomorrow.”
Discussion over Yamal’s fitness has remained a major issue in the Spain camp. The 18-year-old winger is not yet ready to complete a full match, although De la Fuente faces pressure to start him.
“The most important thing is that he’s back,” the coach said.
Saudi Arabia also opened their campaign with a draw, sharing a 1-1 result with Uruguay.
Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito, widely known as Bubista, said his side would play “without fear” against Uruguay in Miami on Sunday after frustrating Spain in their opening fixture.
“We didn’t come just to take part. We want to play all the matches and show that we have the level to take on the best teams in the world,” he said.
“Our aim is to play all the games with courage, in an organised way but also without fear.”
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose outstanding display denied Spain, is set to have family support in Miami after his mother, Ana Candida Evora, arrived from Praia following the approval of a US visa.
Elsewhere, parenthood continued to be a talking point at the World Cup.
Norway defender Leo Ostigard remained with his national squad despite the imminent birth of his child, offering support through a video link as his partner Aurora Eidmann gave birth on Friday.
Meanwhile, Belgium winger Jeremy Doku said he would return home if necessary for the birth of his child in July, should Belgium still be competing in the tournament.
Belgium are preparing to face Iran in Los Angeles, while Egypt meet New Zealand in Vancouver.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said he had received assurances that US travel restrictions affecting his team would be eased before their third group match against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. He maintained that the measures had affected his side’s performances.
Iran remain in contention after drawing 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening match.
Germany secured a place in the knockout stage on Saturday with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast.
Substitute Deniz Undav scored an equaliser in the 68th minute before netting the winner in stoppage time in Toronto.
It marks the first occasion since 2014 that Germany have reached the last 32 of the World Cup.
“This is exactly what we hoped for and I’m very happy for my team,” coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
Germany’s qualification was further strengthened when Curacao secured a surprise goalless draw against Ecuador in Kansas City, confirming the Germans as Group E winners with a match to spare.
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room produced a record 15 saves as his side claimed their first point at a World Cup.
In Houston, the Netherlands strengthened their qualification hopes with a commanding 5-1 victory over Sweden in Group F.
Japan moved level on four points with the Dutch after a comfortable 4-0 win over Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, in the 1,000th match in World Cup history.
Tunisia became the third nation eliminated from the group stage, joining Haiti and Turkey.
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