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World Cup 2010 - Torres scores as Spain rout Poland


Fernando Torres scored on his return to competitive action as Spain completed their World Cup preparations with an emphatic 6-0 demolition of Poland in Murcia.


David Villa, David Silva, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro netted the other goals to give Spain a pulsating 12th straight win in their final warm-up match before the World Cup finals begin.

Manager Vicente del Bosque fielded a strong starting line-up before the European champions fly to South Africa. He was rewarded as his side scored twice in the opening 15 minutes.

Andres Iniesta supplied David Villa for the opener as a lovely ball gave his new Barcelona team-mate the simple task of converting from close range on 11 minutes.

Poland were still trying to recover when they fell two behind on 14 minutes.

A breathtaking chip by Iniesta found Xavi inside the box and he wasted little time in squaring for Silva to slot into the empty net.

Poland beat San Marino 10-0 last April in failing to qualify for the World Cup finals. They looked like they could be on the end of a heavy drubbing as Spain continued to dominate possession with Xavi, Villa, Silva and Iniesta all linking to some effect.

Poland's best chance of the half fell to Slawomir Eszko, who turned and hit a fine shot that Iker Casillas did brilliantly to fist around a post.

Iniesta suffered a leg injury and was replaced as a precautionary measure by Pedro, but the one-way traffic continued in the second period. Xabi Alonso saw an effort deflect into the net from the edge of the box on 51 minutes before Cesc Fabregas slipped home a fourth from 12 yards after replacing Xavi on 56 minutes.

The scoring did not stop there as Torres marked his return with a goal. The Liverpool striker, who had not played since the middle of April, replaced Villa on 66 minutes and promptly added a fifth 14 minutes from time with a clinical finish from Pedro's delightful cutback.

Torres was involved in the sixth. Pedro chipped the despairing Polish keeper Tomasz Kusczak, who had failed to clasp the ball under pressure from the former Valencia player.

Spain open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on June 16. They will travel to South Africa brimming with confidence after such a heavy win.