SAN FRANCISCO, November 18, (THEWILL) – 20-year-old Ferran Torres netted a hat-trick for Spain as they secured a berth at next year’s Nations League Finals with a 6-0 humiliating demolition of Germany on Tuesday.
Alvaro Morata, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal also found the back of the net in Seville as German manager Joachim Low endured the heaviest loss of his 14 years in charge.
For the first goal, Alvaro Morata could scarcely believe his luck when no one marked him for a free header at the far post from a deep corner by Fabian Ruiz.
While the Germans struggled to get into the game they were fortunate not to be down by two when Morata scored from a Torres cross. An entirely contentious offside call gave Germany a breather.
Spain again came at the visitors down the right flank but Manuel Neuer, who became Germany’s most-capped goalkeeper on his 96th appearance, reacted superbly to turn Torres’ strike around the post.
In the 33rd minute, there was not much Neuer could do to stop Torres smashing a rebound home from six yards after Dani Olmo’s header had come back off the crossbar.
Spain who displayed utter dominance of affairs went three goals up five minutes later. An in-swinging Koke corner found an unmarked Rodri. His brilliant glancing header was out of Neuer’s reach but nestled in the net.
Iconic Spanish centre back and captain of the side Sergio Ramos had to be substituted before the break after appearing to hurt his hamstring when sending a long pass forward. However, he was not missed as Spain picked up from where they let off before the Ramos injury.
With Germany playing a high line in their push for a route back into the match, La Roja sprung a counter-attack. It came down the left and Jose Gaya squared to Torres. The youngster steadied himself and smashed home goal number four for the hosts.
In the 71st minute, the indefatigable Torres secured his treble. He swept a low shot past a helpless Neuer as Spain once again cut the visiting defence to ribbons. There was enough time for Oyarzabal to add some icing to the tie when he was gifted an easy finish as Gaya prodded the ball into his path.
Though, Spain indeed needed a victory to reach the last four of the competition, it is unlikely they would have expected one to come so easily.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
