Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has apologised to the Spanish public for their 4-0 thrashing by Portugal.

For Spain, it was the second heavy friendly defeat in the space of two months following their 4-1 loss against Argentina, and Fabregas, who replaced Xavi at half-time, admits it was a night to forget.

"We're hurt. It's been a big scoreline but we have to lift ourselves. We wanted to finish the year well but now we have to wait until February," the Arsenal playmaker told Spanish television channel TVE.

"It's not been our best game but you also have to know how to lose.

"The truth is it's a match where we can't take anything positive. They played better than us, they had a lot of desire...."

Fabregas, who also feels that many of the Spain squad are still trying to get back to peak fitness following their heroics in South Africa this summer, added: "Now we need to apologise to the fans and continue forward."