Spain coach Vicente del Bosque acknowledges his players cannot afford to get too wrapped up in their past glories if they want to continue their international domination in the future.

Spain could hardly have enjoyed a better 2012, finishing unbeaten with 14 victories in their 16 matches while also retaining the European Championship title they won in 2008 after defeating Italy in the final.

The Spanish are also the reigning World Cup winners, but Del Bosque is keen to look forward rather than back.

He said: “It’s been a good year for the national team. Winning the European Championship for the second successive time was a challenge and we achieved it.

“But it’s not advisable to gloat about all that’s happened in the past if we want to maintain the same level in the future.”

Spain resume their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in March with a double-header against Finland and France.

Finland prop up Group I with one point from two games but France are locked on seven points with pacesetters Spain, and the clash between the two rivals on French soil could well decide who finishes in top spot.

France drew 1-1 with Spain in Madrid in October thanks to a 94th-minute equaliser from Olivier Giroud.

Asked about his hopes for 2013, Del Bosque said: “The first objective is to obtain our ticket to the World Cup in Brazil.

“In March this year we have two decisive matches, against Finland and then against France.

“Beating Finland would give us peace of mind to go to Paris, in a match that could be decisive, although we must not forget that we can’t allow ourselves any sort of slip-up in qualifying against any of the opponents who are theoretically more beatable, because that would be fatal.”