Four years after falling in the second round of the 2006 World Cup, Fernando Torres heads to South Africa in search of building on Spain’s European Championship win in 2008. Many things have changed since football’s biggest sporting event was held in Germany four years ago. After winning all of their qualifiers, the Spain national team arrive for this summer’s finals as one of the favourites for the coveted title.

Fernando Torres has also come on in leaps and bounds. After topping the scorers charts in Spain’s group at Germany 2006, the Spain forward has shone for his country, scoring the game’s only goal when Spain beat Germany 1-0 in Vienna to win their first major international trophy in 44 years.

South Africa 2010 will be Torres’ second World Cup. The former Atletico Madrid player travelled to Germany as part of Luis Aragones’ squad. Spain advanced steadily into the knock-out stages after winning all three of their group matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just one. Spain’s top scorer during the group games was Fernando Torres who found the net three times. Spain’s hopes of World Cup glory were ended by France in the next round. The eventual runners-up shattered the Red Fury’s illusions in the second round with 3-1 victory.

Fernando Torres played every game, starting three matches plus making an appearance as substitute. The Fuenlabrada born hitman scored two goals from open play and one from the penalty spot. The Spaniard led the scoring charts after two rounds of matches, but Spain’s loss to France ended Luis Aragones’ side’s hopes of World Cup glory and Torres’ chances of winning the Golden Boot. Despite Spain’s exit in the second round, Torres’ four matches were enough to attract interest form around the world as supporters marvelled at the number ‘9’s class, power, speed, fight, and goalscoring.

In Spain’s opening World Cup game against Ukraine, Fernando was at the centre of his country’s best moves as Spain trounced the Eastern Europeans 4-0. Torres was a livewire throughout he clash, winning Spain a penalty before scoring the fourth with a cracking right-foot effort after Puyol’s surge forward out from defence. In a survey on www.fifa.com the forward’s goal was voted the best goal of the first day of the finals.

The second match was a tougher affair as Tunisia took a surprise lead. Raul equalised for Spain before Torres put away a Cesc cross. The forward grabbed his second in Spain’s 3-1 win from the spot, calmly putting away the penalty after being felled in the box. Two matches gone and Torres was top of the World Cup goal charts.

Luis Aragones rested the Atletico Madrid forward for Spain’s final group game against Saudi Arabia. Torres watched on from the bench before entering the fray on 70 minutes as Spain carved out a 1-0 triumph.

France, who finished second in their group, were Spain’s rivals in the knock-out stages. The Red Fury drew first blood as Villa scored from the spot, but an experienced French side turned the tables on Spain, eventually winning 3-1. It was a disappointing ‘adios’ for a young Spain side, but speaking shortly after his country’s exit Torres shared some wise words. “I am convinced of our side’s potential and I’m sure that the team will give our fans many evenings of joy and success in the upcoming tournaments. I ask you for everyone to grant the team another chance. We are a young side and we will be ready for the next World Cup.” With one European Championship in the bag, the 2010 World Cup is now upon us…