Fernando Torres scored his country’s first ever goal in the Confederations Cup as the striker grabbed a hat-trick in Spain’s 5-0 thrashing of New Zealand at the Royal Bakofeng Stadium. The forward scored three goals in the opening 17 minutes. The Spain number ‘9’ curled home a shot into the far corner for his first, slotted home a pass from Cesc for his second, and thumped a header past Moss from a Capdevila cross for his third. Cesc added a fourth on 24 minutes

Spain took the lead on six minutes when Fernando Torres received a pass from Cesc on the edge of the area before placing the ball beyond Moss’ desperate dive. The keeper had no chance as the ball flew into the top left-hand corner.

The European champions doubled their lead on 14 minutes as Villa and Torres linked-up well in the New Zealand box. The Valencia striker pulled the ball back for his strike-partner who calmly beat Moss with a shot into the bottom left-hand corner.

Torres almost had a hat-trick in the first fifteen minutes but his looping header was gathered by the New Zealand keeper on the line. The wait for the striker’s treble wasn’t long, as Torres grabbed his third moments later. The forward got on the end of a Capdevila cross to power a header past Moss. As with Torres’ two opening goals, there was very little that the keeper could do stop the striker’s header.

The hat-trick was the Spaniard’s second for his country, his previous treble coming against San Marino in a World Cup qualifier back on October 12, 2005.

The crowd were chanting the name ‘Torres, Torres’ as Spain had the Oceania champions on the ropes. The onslaught continued as Cesc made it 4-0 for Spain. The midfielder had the easy task of rolling the ball past Moss following some good work from left-back Capdevila.

The All Whites only shot at goal in the opening 45 minutes was a free-kick from Mulligan which Iker Casillas tipped around the post.

New Zealand started the second-half intent on damage limitation, but any hopes of a clean-sheet disappeared after just three minutes. A Fernando Torres cross was completely misjudged by Boyens and Villa was on-hand to make it five.

With 69 minutes gone on the clock’s Spain’s hat-trick hero was replaced by Silva. Fernando Torres left the pitch with a further three goals to his Spain goal account moving him to 22 strikes for his country and up to seventh- tied with Julio Salinas- in Spain’s all-time top goalscorer charts.

Capdevila and Villa both fired efforts just past the post as Spain continued to push forward in search of number six. Casillas at the other end had to dive down low to his left to save from Elliott.

Vicente Del Bosque’s team took their foot off the peddle in the remaining minutes as Spain held on to record an impressive 5-0 victory in their first Confederations Cup game.

In the opening game of the tournament hosts South Africa drew 0-0 with Iraq in Johannesburg. Kagisho Dikgacoi came closest to scoring for the home side but his goal bound header struck his team-mate Bernard Parker on the line.

Spain will next face Iraq on Wednesday at 16:00 hours local time.


- Match Stats: Spain 5-0 New Zealand

Spain: Casillas, Ramos (Arbeloa, 54), Albiol, Puyol, Capdevila, Xabi Alonso, Sabih (Cazorla, 54), Cesc, Riera, Villa, Torres (Silva, 69)

Goals: Torres 6, 14, 17, Cesc 24, Villa 58

New Zealand: Moss, Lochhead, Vicelich, Elliott, Brown, Smeltz (James, 76), Killen (Bright, 84), Bertos, Brockie (Christie, 26), Mulligan, Boyens