Leaders Spain will be looking to move one step closer to World Cup qualification when they face fourth-placed Belgium at the Riazor Stadium in La Coruña on Saturday, kick-off at 22:00 hours (local time). Fernando Torres has a mixture of good and bad memories from Spain’s clashes with Belgium. In October 2005 the striker scored twice as the Red Fury defeated the Belgians at the King Baudouin Stadium on their way to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. Spain's qualifaction had looked in doubt until Torres' double-strike propelled his country to all three points in Brussels.

The last meeting however between the two countries ended with the Spaniard on the sidelines with a tear in his right hamstring. The forward was forced to leave the field after 15 minutes of Spain's Group 5 qualifier in Belgium after feeling a tweak in the back of his leg. Tests back on Merseyside later confirmed the extent of the forward's injury.

Despite Fernando hobbling off early in the first-half, Spain managed to claim an important victory. The hosts took the lead when Sonck found space in the box to head home completely unmarked. The visitors equalised through Iniesta, before Torres’ strike-partner David Villa headed past Stijnen to secure a 2-1 victory for Vicente Del Bosque’s side.

The number '9', who has been in impressive goalscoring form for his club, equaled both Alfredo Di Stefano and Julio Salinas in the Spain all-time scorer’s table in his last appearance for his country. The forward headed goal number 23 for Spain in their friendly win over Macedonia on August 12. The forward will no doubt be gunning for his 24th goal with Spain against a Belgium side whose hopes of a top-two finish hang by a thread.

Spain currently lead their World Cup qualifier group by a full six points ahead of second-placed Bosnia. Turkey, who lie third, are a 10 points adrift of the Group 5 leaders. With just four qualifying games remaining, Spain could mathematically seal their place at the 2010 World finals with wins against Belgium and their next opponents, Estonia. Were Spain to qualify for next summer’s event in South Africa, it would be their eighth successive World Cup finals appearance.

Vicente Del Bosque’s team will next take on Estonia in Merida (in the province of Extremadura) on Wednesday, September 9. Should all go to plan, Torres and company could seal a return to South Africa with two games to spare; away to Armenia and Bosnia in October.


Photo: J.A. Sirvent