Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka was happy to see new marquee signing Álvaro Negredo get off the mark just half an hour into his debut as Boro drew two-all in a friendly clash with Spanish outfit AD Alcorcón.
Negredo struck after Gastón Ramírez had hit the post 35 minutes into the game, before Jordan Rhodes' late strike looked to have given the Teessiders the win.
Rhodes' fourth goal in four pre-season games was cancelled out as Alcorcón levelled with the final kick of the game, but Karanka was pleased with after his side came out of "a good test" with no new injuries and more valuable minutes under their belts.
Negredo off to scoring start
The former Real Madrid man told the club's official website that while the result was not ideal, for him the most important thing was that the new signings know that they are "arriving together in a tight group and doing really well".
On Negredo's close-range finish, Karanka said: "I'm really glad to see him score.
"We have an amazing group with some really good players," he went on. "I am really looking forward to the season".
Karanka pleased with Valdés influence
With under three weeks to wait now until Boro kick off their Premier League return at home to Stoke City, Negredo's fellow new signing and fellow countryman Víctor Valdés also made his long-awaited debut for his new club.
The World Cup and Champions League-winning goalkeeper played the first 45 minutes against Alcorcón, keeping a clean sheet, and Karanka claimed that "with him on the pitch it's good".
He was also pleased about the chance for Boro's other goalkeepers, Dimi Konstantopoulos and Tomás Mejías, to work with Barcelona legend Valdés.
"It's good for [them] to work with and learn from him because he is a top keeper and it's good to have him here".
Middlesbrough conclude their time in Marbella with a final friendly game against Al-Ahli on Monday evening, before returning to England to conclude their pre-season preparations.