Spain showed exactly why they remain the team to beat on the international stage with an impressive 2-1 win over Uruguay in their Confederations Cup opener, while Mario Balotelli scored the all-important winner for Italy against Mexico to ensure Andrea Pirlo ended 100th appearance for his country on a winning note.
With Barcelona suffering heavy defeats in the Champions League, some doubts have been cast over Spain's capabilities to continue dominating internationally like they have done for the past five years or so.
However, on Sunday, against the Copa America champions Uruguay, Spain showed they had not quite lost their touch, with the 2-1 result actually quite flattering to Uruguay.
"It's very difficult to generate any kind of danger when you don't touch the ball," Luis Suarez said of playing against the World and European champions. "Spain is the best in the world and they're a contender to win the World Cup.
Suarez did score for Uruguay, though, in the 88th minute, but only after Pedro Rodriguez and Roberto Soldado, given the chance to lead the line, gave Spain a 2-0 lead in the first half.
Soldado was impressive against Uruguay, but such is Spain's strength that he will not be guaranteed a place in the starting XI for the next match despite scoring the goal which eventually proved to be the winner.
"I do not know if I'll ever be a starter, that is decided by the coach," Soldado said. "I do not know if I'll hold the place again, that's a coach's decision."
Spain should have really won the match by a bigger margin, and Soldado did rue that particular fact. "The only problem was that we had chances, but the goals did not come," he added. "We're happy because we've faced a very tough opponent and we have won. You cannot ease off for a second, despite a 2-0 lead."
Earlier, at the Maracana, Italy picked up their very own 2-1 win courtesy goals from Pirlo and Balotelli.
Italy dominated large periods of the first half and deservedly took the lead through 100-cap man Pirlo, who bent in a delightful 25-yard freekick into the top corner in the 27th minute.
However, Mexico got back on level terms seven minutes later with Javier Hernandez converting a penalty after Andrea Barzagli brought down Giovani Dos Santos inside the box.
Italy, who had ten players from either Juventus or AC Milan with Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi the exception, however, dug deep with Balotelli smashing home the winner in the 78th minute.
"It was a great game, a great feeling and a wonderful crowd," Balotelli told Rai Sport. "I don't care about the referee, the important thing is that we won. That's all.
"If we win the next game, then we can progress. It would be wonderful to play here in the final and we will do everything to get there, it doesn't matter who it is against.
"Do we have what it takes to reach the final? I think we really do."
