Next time, spend all your mpp on units, let your opponent waste his on diplo.
Other than maybe 1 chit to keep Spain at 40% for the minors.
This of course will only work if you're playing the same guy or somebody you know is big into diplo.
On what basis?
Just because you lasted longer than historical before dying is not a "victory". You can take satisfaction in it, but it ain't success.
Besides, you knew what was coming.