Spain 6-0 Germany: Torres hits hat-trick in huge La Roja win

Spain 6-0 Germany: Torres hits hat-trick in huge La Roja win

Ferran Torres fue una máquina y destrozó a Alemania
Ferran Torres fue una máquina y destrozó a Alemania | AFP

The Manchester City player becomes the youngest to ever score a hat-trick for Spain

It was Germany's worst defeat since 1931 and Spain could have scored even more

Ferran Torres struck a hat-trick as Spain dismantled Germany 6-0 to book their place in the Final Four of the UEFA Nations League. 

Alvaro Morata, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal were also on target for La Roja as Joachim Low's Germany suffered their heaviest defeat since 1931. 

It was the perfect way for Luis Enrique's side to respond to criticism about their ability to find the back of the net. 

Spain had scored just three times in their last five internationals, leading to doubts about their quality in attack, but responded emphatically against the 2014 World Cup winners. 

Questions will rightly be asked about the state of Germany -- especially in defence -- but this was a Spain performance that will keep them among the favourites going into next summer's postponed European Championships. 

Luis Enrique has brought in a lot of new faces since taking charge in 2018. The former Barcelona coach has been tasked with looking to the future as the tiki-taka inspired successes of 2008, 2010 and 2012 fade into the rearview mirror. 

Manchester City forward Torres offered a glimpse of that future against Germany, becoming the youngest player to ever score a hat-trick for Spain at 20 years and 262 days old. There was also an excellent performance from Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke on his return to the national team after two years in the cold. 

Spain raced out of the blocks at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville and the only surprise was that it took them 17 minutes to open the scoring against a lackluster German side. 

The first goal arrived via a header from Juventus striker Morata, with the assist supplied by Fabian Ruiz, who had earlier replaced the injured Sergio Canales. 

Morata had a second goal incorrectly ruled out for offside -- there was no VAR -- before Torres scored his first of the night. The ex-Valencia winger drilled home after Dani Olmo had hit the bar. 

Torres' Man City teammate Rodri made it 3-0 in the 38th minute, turning home Fabian's corner, although the first half ended on a low note with captain Sergio Ramos forced off with a hamstring problem. Real Madrid will hope it's nothing serious.

Spain didn't let up after the break and Torres added his second from close range after Jose Luis Gaya squared. 

Torres completed his treble in the 71st minute, finishing brilliantly past Manuel Neuer from 18 yards after being teed up by Fabian. 

Real Sociedad's in-form frontman Oyarzabal scored the sixth in the 89th minute after more good work from left-back Gaya as Spain ensured they will take place in the Nations League Final Four next October at the expense of Germany, who had started Tuesday as group leaders. 

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