Morientes - warned against surfeit of euphoria (Allsport)

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The Spain squad have followed coach Jose Antonio Camacho's lead to warn about the possible pitfalls they could face against Ireland on Sunday.

After sailing through a straightforward Group B, expectation is high for Spain to progress against the Irish, but striker Fernando Morientes has warned against a surfeit of euphoria.

"The World cup has started brilliantly for us, but the good stuff starts now. Now there is no time to get over an error. Whoever takes advantage of their strengths or their rivals' defects will win and go through."

"I still think Spain's own worst enemy is Spain," he said.

The striker, whose brace of goals gave led Spain's victory over Paraguay, thought Ireland would provide a stern test.

"I'm certain people won't give them the same importance as other sides, but they are a strong side. Maybe people don't know they have been unbeaten for 22 games."

"Maybe you would prefer to play them than Germany, but you have to realise they have got here on merit," he warned.

Midfielder Ruben Baraja, who returns to the side after being rested against South Africa, echoed Morientes' thoughts.

"Ireland have got to the second stage through a group with Germany and Cameroon and have been a long time without losing," he said.

"They are a difficult team and they will complicate things for us. Everyone in the last 16 is there by right. Maybe they are less known than Germany, they don't have great names, but they play as a team."

"We have the feeling it is going to be a very hard game," warned Baraja.

However, he thought Spain were approaching the game with the right attitude.

"We have to be very serious and concentrate as well as playing well in defence, because a mistake can see you out. If we get that clear we can go through, " he said, adding Spain were not allowing themselves to become carried away.

"The atmosphere is the same as when we got here; there is a lot of hope, but with caution as all your hopes can come crashing down with a mistake."

"We have to concentrate because they can cause problems," he repeated.