Santi Cazorla has denied suggestions that the Spain squad lacked hunger and ambition in Brazil.
La Roja stalwart Xabi Alonso had claimed that the national team were mentally weak at the World Cup.
But the Arsenal man has insisted that is not the case, and hopes to prove the point in the last game against Australia.
“A lot is being made of this matter. This is a great squad,” he told a Press conference.
“We've proven that in victory, and now in defeat. Nobody has ever doubted Xabi or any other of our players, so there is no controversy in that sense.
“The Netherlands and Chile both beat us in our first two games, and that can happen in football, but I don't think it was due to a lack of hunger, ambition or enthusiasm.
“We have to accept that they were better than us, end on a high note against Australia and look optimistically to the future, because I think this squad has a bright future ahead of it.”
