Arsenal midfield ace Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to help Spain come-from-behind to defeat Tunisia 3-1 last night.
Tunisia had taken a surprise lead on eight minutes after Joahar Mnari beat Iker Casillas at the second attempt.
But on 71 minutes Ali Boumnijel spilled Fabregas' shot allowing Raul to score, with the Arsenal midfielder then setting up a goal for Fernando Torres.
The Atletico Madrid striker scored his third goal of the tournament when he won and scored a stoppage-time penalty, a spot-kick Boumnijel almost saved.
The win sent Spain to the top of Group H with six points, though Tunisia still have a chance of qualifying.
Spain coach Luis Aragones paid tribute to Tunisia afterwards.
"I knew it would be a very complicated and difficult game," he said. "They caught us on the break in the first half and then shut up at the back and it was tremendously difficult for us to break through.
"After Cesc (Fabregas) took a shot and Raul got the goal, it became much easier to open them up."
Torres agreed that the Tunisians proved a stiff test for his team-mates.
"It was harder than we expected but it is important to win any way you can," said the Atletico Madrid forward.
"The team showed spirit and did not get downhearted when they were behind.
"As long as the strikers keep scoring we will progress in this tournament."
Raul added: "Regarding my goal, it was very important for the team to get back on terms.
"It calmed us down and it says a lot for the team that we hung on in there and came back."
Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said one error cost his side a shock victory: "I am very disappointed because we had good tactics, but it all crumbled because of a single mistake."
The Frenchman's side face Ukraine in their final group game on Friday, when nothing more than a win will do if they are to have a chance of progressing further.
"The Ukraine game will be decisive and we will have to do a better job to make it to the last 16," Lemerre admitted.
"The route will be difficult, but we still have hope."
Tunisia had taken a surprise lead on eight minutes after Joahar Mnari beat Iker Casillas at the second attempt.
But on 71 minutes Ali Boumnijel spilled Fabregas' shot allowing Raul to score, with the Arsenal midfielder then setting up a goal for Fernando Torres.
The Atletico Madrid striker scored his third goal of the tournament when he won and scored a stoppage-time penalty, a spot-kick Boumnijel almost saved.
The win sent Spain to the top of Group H with six points, though Tunisia still have a chance of qualifying.
Spain coach Luis Aragones paid tribute to Tunisia afterwards.
"I knew it would be a very complicated and difficult game," he said. "They caught us on the break in the first half and then shut up at the back and it was tremendously difficult for us to break through.
"After Cesc (Fabregas) took a shot and Raul got the goal, it became much easier to open them up."
Torres agreed that the Tunisians proved a stiff test for his team-mates.
"It was harder than we expected but it is important to win any way you can," said the Atletico Madrid forward.
"The team showed spirit and did not get downhearted when they were behind.
"As long as the strikers keep scoring we will progress in this tournament."
Raul added: "Regarding my goal, it was very important for the team to get back on terms.
"It calmed us down and it says a lot for the team that we hung on in there and came back."
Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said one error cost his side a shock victory: "I am very disappointed because we had good tactics, but it all crumbled because of a single mistake."
The Frenchman's side face Ukraine in their final group game on Friday, when nothing more than a win will do if they are to have a chance of progressing further.
"The Ukraine game will be decisive and we will have to do a better job to make it to the last 16," Lemerre admitted.
"The route will be difficult, but we still have hope."
