Deportivo's Diego Tristan got the only goal of the game on the half hour, with a rare moment of a class in an otherwise dour match.
Raul proved that Spain could go direct with a searching pass to Tristan who ran on and chipped the keeper.
However, the hosts almost drew level within 60 seconds when Kim Do-kyuon hit the post.
The keeper battle in the Spanish camp will be all the more interesting as Iker Casillas was only given 32 minutes and his replacement, Valladolid's Ricardo saved a penalty when Gaizka Mendieta handled in the box.
Park Jin-sun's poor spot-kick was well saved by Ricardo, who came into camp as third-choice but is now pressing for top spot.
