Fernando Torres celebrated the quarter-final win with his teammates after the final whistle at Ellis Park. Spain had just out-fought a resilient Paraguay side winning 1-0. Next-up for the current European Champions are Germany on Wednesday night; the team that the Red Fury beat- with a solitary goal from the Kid- to win the 2008 European Championships.

“We are proud to have written another chapter in the history of Spanish football. We are all very happy after what was a tense game. There was Paraguay’s penalty, Xabi Alonso was then asked to retake his spot-kick after originally scoring. The keeper then saved his second effort. There were plenty of nerve wracking moments, but it was all worth it in the end.”

Torres praised Iker Casillas who produced some excellent blocks to keep Spain’s noses in front. “He is one of the great players in the national team and each day it’s the turn of a different player to stand out. We have are excellent players throughout the squad.” As for strike partner Villa, the Spain number ‘9’ highlighted his rich vein of form. “When a striker is on fire, the ball bounces kindly. He was there for the rebound and managed to put it away.”

Spain now face Germany on Wednesday in the last four. “I am a great follower of German football. I have always kept up to date with the game in Germany. They are an excellent side, capable of putting four past Argentina. They probably deserve to win the title as much, or even more then we do… so we will have to be fully prepared. Our match could well have been the final.”

“They are a tough outfit. Germany are very attacking and never step aside from a challenge. We have yet to play a team which will play attacking football against us”.