Spain vs. Macedonia: Winners and Losers from Euro 2016 Qualifier
It was Spain's first competitive match since the catastrophe of the World Cup and the official start of the new La Roja era.
Vicente del Bosque's job of making the transition between the past and the future has been assisted by the retirement of a number of senior professionals.
The manager is looking for evolution rather than revolution, although his team selection did throw up a couple of surprises.
Paco Alcacer and Raul Albiol were included, but neither would have started if it wasn't for injuries.
The 5-1 win over Macedonia proved to be fairly routine, even though the away team had their moments. Here we identify the winners and losers from the game.
Winner: Sergio Ramos, Cheeky Panenka
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The Real Madrid centre-back was superb from the turn of the year until the Champions League final.
It was arguably his best five months of his career, as he scored six goals in his final seven games of the season for his club including the equaliser in Lisbon.
Then he had a poor World Cup and that continued into the early part of the new campaign.
So when he was faced with taking his team's penalty, he would have been forgiven for letting the pressure get to him.
Instead he dispatched the spot-kick with a little chip that we have seen him perform before.
Loser: Juanfran, Loose Cannon
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It was a good run in behind the defence by the right-back before he lifted the ball over to Alcacer in the centre for the second goal.
Juanfran's positioning high up the pitch does offer the team an out-ball, especially with Pedro in front of him looking to cut inside.
Though because the team has less control than in the past, he can be exposed when forced to chase back.
He was perhaps harshly judged to have brought down Aleksandar Trajkovski in the penalty area, but his challenge was clumsy and untidy.
Del Bosque may feel that when the team is under pressure that Juanfran always looks like he has a mistake in him.
Winner: Paco Alcacer, Debut Goal
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Few expected the Valencia striker to make his debut, but the injury to Diego Costa gave him an opportunity.
He isn't a particularly prolific forward as his six league goals for Los Che last term suggests.
Although when he's wearing the red of Spain, he has a knack of finding his way to goal.
His record at youth level is impressive, and it could be that his style fits the national setup perfectly rather than the varied philosophies that he has had to undertake for club sides.
Loser: Koke, Early Days
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The Atletico Madrid playmaker has incredibly large shoes to fill for his country.
It's unfair to compare Koke with Xavi, but it's inevitable given how the role of creator from central positions has fallen upon the 22 year-old.
The team didn't exude the usual domination with the ball that we have become accustomed to, and that might be what is required, as they look to be a little more direct.
He wasn't poor by any stretch of the imagination, but it will take time for the midfielder to grow into this new team, and he will need to know whether he should be forcing the issue or simply maintaining possession.
Winner: Sergio Busquets, Mr Reliable
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Barcelona's central pivot was impeccable as the rest of his former midfield partners hung up their international boots.
His positional sense is superb and enables those in front of him to interchange and move around.
He even grabbed a rare goal, although a huge deflection played its part.
The player's importance will continue to rise as various personnel in the side are trialled over the next two years.
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