Spain entered the fixture having already qualified for next summer's tournament as winners of Group C, but the defeat for Ukraine has left them third and now facing the playoffs.

Mario's header on what was his international debut proved the difference between the two teams on a night that saw Cesc Fabregas miss a penalty for the European champions.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a closer look at how each player performed in Kiev.

Spain's players argue with the referee during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Ukraine and Spain at Olympiysky stadium in Kiev on October 12, 2015 © Getty Images

UKRAINE

Goal

Andriy Pyatov: Bit of a mixed-bag from the stopper. Made a super save to deny Fabregas from the penalty spot, but flapped at a couple of routine crosses and did not look entirely secure in Kiev. (6/10)

Defence

Artem Fedetskiy: Picked up a yellow card late on during a frustrating period of the game for the hosts, while the full-back did not really make use of the room offered to him in wide areas. (6/10)

Oleksandr Kucher: Conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Fabregas and also picked up a booking for good measure. That said, recovered to have a fairly strong second period. (6/10)

Yaroslav Rakitskiy: Was never afraid to step into midfield and have a go from distance and his desire cannot be called into question. Had a largely solid night at the heart of the defence. (7/10)

Vyacheslav Shevchuk: At 36, did not really have the legs to drive up and down the left, but his use of the ball was good in the second half. Decent display, but not much more than that. (6/10)

Midfield

Ruslan Rotan: Had arguably his team's best chance of the first half, but saw his close-range effort somehow kept out by David de Gea. Led by example in the middle with some crunching tackles. (6/10)

Taras Stepanenko: Another that had a super chance to equalise in the second half, but his strike was deflected wide. Was prepared to help out at both ends during what was a strong performance. (7/10)

Denys Garmash: Was one of Ukraine's more threatening players in the first period and also came close with a close-range header in the 58th minute, but was replaced moments later. (6/10)

Attack

Yevhen Konoplyanka: Should have scored in the first half and also had a couple of good chances in the second. Like a number of his teammates, good on the whole, but lacked that final touch. (7/10)

Artem Kravets: Given an opportunity to impress from the start and while the striker was full of industry and movement, his lack of a killer touch was evident. Subbed off late on. (6/10)

Andriy Yarmolenko: Flattered to deceive in the first half, but was brilliant in the second. Caused a number of problems in a wide area, but his teammates could not finish the job. (8/10)

Substitutes

Serhiy Rybalka: Introduced just before the hour and came close to levelling late on with a strike that needed fingertips from De Gea. Brought some invention to the final third of the field. (6/10)

Yevhen Seleznyov: Was not introduced until the 87th minute and therefore had little time to influence proceedings in Kiev. Would have been disappointed not to have been given the nod to start. (6/10)

Oleksandr Zinchenko: Only called into the squad at the weekend and the 18-year-old was given his first taste of international football late on. Will always remember the first time he appeared in yellow. (6/10)

Spain's players celebrate after scoring during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Ukraine and Spain at Olympiysky stadium in Kiev on October 12, 2015 © Getty Images

SPAIN

Goal

David de Gea: Quite simply the best player on the park in Kiev. Made a whole host of excellent saves, including a couple of world-class ones. Ukraine just could not find a way past the goalkeeper. (9/10)

Defence

Mario Gaspar: Earned his Spain debut after an excellent start to the season with Villarreal and the 24-year-old proved the match-winner courtesy of a first-half header. Had a strong game all-round. (8/10)

Nacho: On just his second Spain appearance, the central defender had a solid game. Does not play an awful lot of club football, but is often a dependable performer when called upon. (7/10)

Xabier Etxeita: Another that was making his international debut, the Athletic Bilbao centre-back recovered from a nervy start to produce a towering performance at the heart of the defence. (7/10)

Cesar Azpilicueta: Has not started the season too well for Chelsea and was given the run around by Yarmolenko in the second period here. Jordi Alba was introduced to help him late on. (6/10)

Midfield

Cesc Fabregas: Will always remember captaining Spain on his 100th international appearance, but missed the chance to score from the penalty spot in the first half. Was subbed in the 64th minute. (6/10)

Mikel San Jose: Performed very well in the 'Sergio Busquets role'. Was always on hand to help out his back four and was unfortunate to see a super strike ruled out for offside late on. (7/10)

Thiago: Has missed a lot of football through injury, but the 24-year-old is just a class act. Produced some lovely pieces of skill and set up the only goal of the match with an excellent cross. (8/10)

Attack

Isco: Bits and pieces from the Real Madrid attacker, but not one of his better games. Linked well with Thiago in the second half, but was sometimes a little wasteful in possession of the ball. (6/10)

Paco Alcacer: Has played a key role in securing qualification for Euro 2016, but the Valencia striker could not add to his six international strikes here. Had few clear opportunities. (6/10)

Nolito: Has started the new season in fine form for Celta Vigo and was again impressive here. Always creating in the final third and his movement caused Ukraine a whole host of problems. (7/10)

Substitutes

Juan Mata: Introduced with 25 minutes remaining in a bid to regain some possession, but the attacker found it difficult to make his mark during a period where Ukraine were in control. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Looked to have been given the night-off as Azpilicueta started at left-back, but the Barcelona defender actually came on in the 75th minute in a midfield role. (6/10)

Sergio Busquets: Settled things down in the final five minutes. (6/10)