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Ferran Torres’ career-defining hat-trick offers glimpse of scary City potential

Planet Football •

6-0. It’s a score nobody ever predicts, especially when the match in question is between two heavyweights of world football such as Spain and Germany. 

Tuesday’s match in Seville prompted more than a few double-takes from fans around the globe, mainly in surprise at Joachim Low’s side being beaten so comprehensively.

However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Germany were thoroughly monstered by a dominant Spanish performance. Needing a win to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals, Spain took 23 shots to Germany’s two. Such was their total control, the final scoreline probably flattered their opponents

The main embodiment of this thrashing was the performance of Ferran Torres. The Manchester City winger produced a career-defining display and became the first man to score a competitive hat-trick against Germany since Michael Owen in 2001. Owen was just 21 years old. At 20, Torres is even younger.

Like attack dogs that have been repeatedly prodded with a stick, Spain tore into their opponents from the off.

By the time Torres scored his first, a half-volley with his traction-engine right foot, Spain were already firmly in cruise control.

Even at this early stage, Germany were a disorganised rabble – their performance was described as a “footballing catastrophe” back home –  but take nothing away from Spain.

Plenty of teams would have eased up with a three-goal half-time lead. Instead, Spain produced the goal of the match, a sweeping counter-attack finished emphatically by Torres.

The former Valencia man wasn’t finished yet. With 20 minutes to go, Torres completed his hat-trick after bending a cool shot into the net from the edge of the area. It’s worth remembering he only made his national team debut in September 2020.

When Pep Guardiola gave Torres David Silva’s old shirt number at Manchester City, you could be forgiven for thinking the two Spaniards would be similar players.

But Torres is a thrillingly direct winger, with the pace that causes defenders sleepless nights. Instead, City may have found their Leroy Sane replacement.

If Ferran Torres is dismantling Germany’s defence at the age of 20, just imagine how frightening he could be for Manchester City over the coming years.

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