Fernando Torres and the Spain squad touched down in South Africa on Friday after flying from Madrid late on Thursday night. The players flew into Johannesburg before taking an internal flight to Potchefstroom. Despite the long journey, the footballers flew in comfort and managed to rest ahead of their first training session in South Africa on Friday afternoon.

Vicente Del Bosque’s squad will be based at the high tech sports complex at the city’s university. Spain’s base camp is 1350 metres above sea level, an altitude that will help the players’ stamina ahead of the one month long event.

Upon their arrival in Potchefstroom the footballers and coaching staff received a warm welcome from locals delighted to have the European Champions as their guests.

The city’s streets were decorated the red and yellow of the Spain national flag as crowds of supporters lined the streets. The players were greeted with tribal dances and music as a party atmosphere reigned in Potchefstroom.

On Friday evening the team donned their boots for their first session on South African soil. By the time the training had got underway it was nightfall with a temperature of 10 degrees. Normal for this time of year.

The entire squad took part in a 60 minute practice match as Spain’s conquest of the World Cup started in earnest.