Torres scores as Spain rout Poland 6-0
MURCIA, Spain (AP) — Fernando Torres marked his return from injury with a goal as Spain routed Poland 6-0 in their last World Cup warm-up match yesterday, but the European champions were left with doubts over Andres Iniesta after the playmaker was taken off before half-time.
Iniesta provided the pass for David Villa’s opener before starting the move which led to David Silva’s 14th-minute goal. He came off in the 39th with an apparent right leg muscle problem and was expected to undergo scans in Barcelona today.
“The doctors will see, but he came off mostly as a precaution,” coach Vicente del Bosque said.
Xabi Alonso scored in the 51st minute before setting up Cesc Fabregas seven minutes later in the Arsenal midfielder’s second game back from a fractured leg.
Torres guided home Pedro Rodriguez’s pass in the 76th before Pedro scored himself in the 81st.
Spain, who have now won their last 11 games, go into the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa as one of the favourites.
Torres had chances after coming on for Villa in the 66th minute in his first appearance since right knee surgery in April.
Although Torres’ and Fabregas’ goals offered reassurance over the recovering players ahead of South Africa, Iniesta’s early exit provided some anxiety.
Iniesta, whose end of season was marred by a torn muscle in his right thigh, looked like he’d overcome his problems as his dribbling runs through the midfield led to both of Spain’s goals.
Iniesta, who hasn’t played a full 90 minutes for Spain since February 2009, ran into the area in the 12th minute before providing a cross that appeared to go in off defender Dariusz Dudka, although Villa was credited with his 38th international goal.
Villa, who is six goals shy of matching Raul Gonzalez’s record 44, was dangerous throughout and called for the ball just before Spain’s second goal, only for Iniesta to instead provide a lob for Xavi Hernandez, whose cross into the middle was turned in by Silva.
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas had a fairly quiet game, though he denied Poland in the 26th minute by getting a hand to Slawomir Peszko’s rising shot.
Spain dominated possession and Alonso extended their lead when his long shot took a deflection, giving keeper Tomasz Kuszczak no chance.
Fabregas, back after breaking his right leg in April, replaced Xavi in the 56th minute and scored with his first real touch, swiveling to send Alonso’s perfect through ball off Kuszczak and into the net.