Source: Team_Talk
Torres buoyed by Spain brace
Fernando Torres is feeling confident and closer to full fitness after his two goals in Spain's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying win over Liechtenstein.[LNB] 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.[LNB]However, the 26-year-old looked in fine touch for reigning European champions Spain in Vaduz on Friday night as he opened the scoring with a superb chip in the 19th minute before adding a second - his side's third - in the 54th minute with a low shot inside the near post.[LNB]The former Atletico Madrid man, who was substituted soon after netting his second, said after the game: "I feel better every day after the injury, with more rhythm and the goals give me a lot of confidence."[LNB]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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]When asked if he was happy to see Torres back on the mark, Vincente[LNB]del Bosque said: "Of course. He didn't score during the World Cup and these goals plus the one he got the other day for Liverpool are going to improve his moral and self-confidence.[LNB]"That's very good for him and the national team. Today (against Liechtenstein) he moved well close to the area."[LNB]Del Bosque also felt the striker, who Liverpool feel is still a month away from full fitness, could have played on.[LNB]"I don't think it was too draining a game for the players. Torres could have continued perfectly. We had people on the bench who ought to play, we had to give them the opportunity," Del Bosque added.[LNB]"It (the substitutions) was for those we were on the bench than those that were on the pitch."[LNB]Torres is still 17 goals behind strike partner David Villa, who took his own international tally to 43 this evening with a thunderous 25-yard drive to put Spain 2-0 up against an outclassed Liechtenstein side.[LNB]Villa is now just one behind the national record of 44 held by Raul, although the Barcelona forward had enough chances this evening to pass the new Schalke striker's mark - notably in stoppage time when he somehow managed to hit the crossbar with the goal gaping.[LNB]The former Valencia frontman was unconcerned about not being able to break the record on Friday night 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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]World champions Spain now face a mouth-watering friendly against Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.[LNB]Villa added: "Right now we need to rest ahead of playing Argentina. It's a friendly, but they are games that you always want to win."
