TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coach Vicente del Bosque praised David Silva's man of the match performance after Spain began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 5-1 victory against Macedonia on Tuesday.

Spain opened the score early through Sergio Ramos' penalty, and then a goal from Paco Alcacer, Sergio Busquets, Silva and Pedro Rodriguez. Macedonia's consolation was also a penalty, converted by Agim Ibraimi.

With La Roja entering the post-Xavi Hernandez era and Andres Iniesta missing due to an injury, it was the Manchester City playmaker who is most impressed with an excellent strike, by a clever assist for Pedro's final goal, and generally all-around performance full of ideas and creativity.

According to del Bosque, Silva had been given the freedom to run the game and had done just that.

"For sure this one of the games in which Silva was most prominent," Del Bosque said. "Silva has used very well the liberty that we gave him and he linked well with the people ahead of him."

Del Bosque also had praise Valencia forward Paco Alcacer, 21, who scored on his first senior start and looked more suited to play in Spain's tiki-taka data-style than Chelsea's Diego Costa, who was missing due to an injury.

"Alcacer has fulfilled the expectations we had in him," he said.

"He scored a goal, his movement was good, and we have made a step forward. We will be watching to see how he develops at his club."

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