Ferrán, Spain's lethal weapon

1. SOFOOT.com
2. // League of Nations

// Half // Italy-Spain (1-2)

The Roja could not count on either Álvaro Morata or Dani Olmo , nor on Gerard Moreno to take up the Italian challenge at San Siro. Irreparable? Not when you can rely on a perfectly oiled collective, and even less when you have a lethal weapon like Ferrán Torres. Already a scorer in the last two meetings of his national team, against Georgia (4-0) then in Kosovo (0-2), the wisp of Manchester City did even better against the European champion by slamming a double, offering Spain the right to dream of a trophy, the first since 2012.

V for Vendetta

A double against Nazionale

. Like Sesúmaga (1920), Luis Regueiro (1930) and Isco (2017). A rare performance, but not necessarily surprising for a player accustomed to shine as soon as “La Marcha Real” is heard. Less prominent on the side of City in recent weeks – Pep Guardiola having left him on the bench in the Premier League during the last three days and in C1 against PSG – the Valencian remembered the good memories of the Catalan coach on Wednesday evening.

A flat foot well placed to accommodate the ball in the small net, first, then a perfectly controlled header to take Gigio Donnarumma on the wrong foot: two caviars from Mikel Oyarzabal and two goals from pure number 9, from the part of a player who nevertheless evolves on the side. What to avenge elimination on penalties in July, necessarily bitter . A new recital, too, after his fabulous hat-trick in the 6-0 humiliation inflicted on Germany last year, which allows him to further consolidate his status as a must-have.

Ahead of the biggest

By September, he became the youngest player in history to reach the 10-goal mark in the Spanish jersey at 21 years and 192 days. Better than Raúl González (21 years and 277 days), Isidro Lángara (22 years and 12 days) or even Fernando Torres (22 years and 79 days). With his double, he now has a maddening ratio of 12 goals in 21 caps. Bases higher than all the names already mentioned, to which we can also add David Villa or Fernando Hierro.

“It is an obvious choice for a trainer because of his predispositions

, supported Luis Enrique after last month. For me, he’s a side player, but with a sense of goal, which makes of him a different player. He has a great ability to give assists, millimeter centers, he works well defensively … I am very happy to have him in the team. » Exit from the 50 ^{e minute this Wednesday after taking a hit, the number He reassured over the microphone of the Iberian television: “I’m fine. I am uncomfortable, but I am already thinking about the final. » With the will to reiterate what he had achieved two years ago during the ‘Euro U19: a double that allowed his team to win.}

By Quentin Ballue