Torres rifled home after four minutes in the 4-0 demolition of Ireland on Thursday that put Spain top of Group C and added the third with a solo run for his 30th goal in 95 games for his country and move up to third on their all-time scorers list.
After scoring his first tournament goals since the euro 2008 final “It was not a disappointment,” Torres said of being left out for the first game after receiving the man of the match award on Thursday. “We know we’re playing in the best team in the world. It’s not disappointing to be on the bench in this kind of team.
“I was lucky today to be selected but if in the next game the manager decides to select someone else that’s fine,” he said.
It will be difficult now for Del Bosque to look elsewhere after it took Torres only four minutes to score when he rifled home after stealing the ball inside the box.
He completed his restitution with a fine solo run and solid finish to claim a stake for a permanent place as Spain look to go where no team has gone before by winning their third major title in a row.
