Also on Sept 5, Cristiano Ronaldo reached another impressive milestone by scoring his 900th career goal as Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 at home.
Eight of Spain's starting line-up in their Euro 2024 final victory over England almost two months ago were on the field at kick-off against the Serbs in Belgrade.
Among them was Lamine Yamal, with the Barcelona prodigy just one of the Spanish players to be denied by home goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
De la Fuente's team are also the reigning Nations League champions, having won the most recent edition in 2023.
They will now hope to register their first victory in League A, Group 4 when they face Switzerland in Geneva on Sept 8.
"We lacked mostly everything in the first half," the coach said.
"In the second half we were better and much improved but lacked effectively up front. We could have done better, players were a little tired, the heat was excruciating and we ran out of gas.
This story is from the September 07, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 07, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NO REVENGE FOR CUBS
Singapore U-16s lose 1-0 to BG Pathum in repeat of 2023 Lion City Cup final
REDS NOT CARRIED AWAY
Slot says his players, who have topped the EPL table before, know it is still early days
Guardiola wary of Fulham's speedy weapons
Last season's English Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal find themselves playing catch-up to Liverpool in this early part of the campaign, but are expected to push the Reds all the way.
TOO EARLY TO JUDGE UNITED, SAYS TEN HAG
But Red Devils co-owner Ratcliffe refuses to guarantee manager's future after Porto draw
Clubs may get extra transfer window
Fifa has proposed opening an extra transfer window in June 2025, ahead of the first edition of its expanded Club World Cup in the United States, world football's governing body announced on Oct 3.
Fifa regulations breach free movement laws: EU court
Some of Fifa's player transfer rules go against European Union laws and free movement principles, the EU's top court said on Oct 4 in a ruling that could open the door for players to find a new club more easily after their contract is terminated.
Chess ace Ding reminds us, heroes are vulnerable humans
From Wenzhou in Zhejiang province come many brilliant things.
CLARK EXCITED FOR FUTURE
Fever star is WNBA's top rookie of 2024, capping sensational record-breaking year
DOPING CASE MAKES SINNER FEEL UNEASY
But Italian is 'very confident' he will avoid sanction after three hearings went his way
Randle feels wanted in Minnesota, eyes NBA title
Once he got over the initial shock of being traded from the New York Knicks to the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, Julius Randle was excited to join another NBA (National Basketball Association) title contender.
