Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque admits Argentina were the better team in yesterday's 4-1 friendly defeat.

Goals from Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez allowed the hosts to race into a comfortable half-time lead and although Fernando Llorente pulled one back for the world champions in the second period, Kun Aguero completed the rout with a late header.

"The result has been a tad exaggerated. I was not surprised, Argentina has been better than us, especially the first half," Del Bosque said.

"In the second half there was a desire from us. 4-1, in my view, is a tad exaggerated. But it does not detract from the triumph of Argentina. We had the dignity to go our and look for a result.

"We don't look for the excuse that the result was down to the changes we have made. Those who have come in are team players. We are at the beginning of the season. There's no damage to the image. We have dignity even in losing."