Spain double boosts Torres
Published 09:51 04/09/10 By Pa Sports
Fernando Torres insists he is feeling better all the time after continuing his quest for full fitness with a brace of goals as Spain started their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Torres has struggled with injuries in 2010, undergoing two knee operations in the first four months of the year whilst also suffering an adductor injury in July's World Cup final, and Liverpool do not expect their star striker to be back to peak fitness for another month yet.
However, the 26-year-old looked in fine touch for reigning European champions Spain as he bagged a brace in Vaduz, and said: "I feel better every day after the injury, with more rhythm and the goals give me a lot of confidence."
Torres' double saw him move onto 26 goals for his country, level with legendary Real Madrid striker Emilio Butragueno in fifth place in the all-time list.
"It's always nice to be on these lists and it makes me proud to be here and to continue scoring, although the most important thing is the three points and that we've played," Torres added.
Torres is still 17 goals behind strike partner David Villa, who took his own international tally to 43 with a thunderous 25-yard drive to put Spain 2-0 up against an outclassed Liechtenstein side.
Villa is now just one behind the national record of 44 held by Raul, although the Barcelona forward had enough chances on Saturday to pass the new Schalke striker's mark - notably in stoppage time when he somehow managed to hit the crossbar with the goal gaping.
The former Valencia frontman was unconcerned about not being able to break the record tonight though, telling Spanish television channel Telecinco: "It will come. It's a shame because it was the final minutes but the goals will arrive. I hope that I stay in the national team for many years.
"The team have done well. We've played good football and the result was good. We know that our opponents were going to try to keep it tight at the back and it was going to be difficult to open them up. Fortunately Torres scored early."
