Torres on target in Spain six-goal romp

Fernando Torres scored in Spain’s 6-0 rout of Poland on Tuesday as the Liverpool striker handed the European champions a timely World Cup boost.

The 26-year-old, who underwent knee surgery in April, was on target in the 75th minute of the friendly international with a cool, sharp finish from a cross by Pedro after coming on as a second-half substitute.

It was Torres’s 24th international goal and came just 10 minutes after he replaced David Villa.

“It’s almost two months since I played so I am happy to have scored,” said Torres. “It was an impressive performance by the team.”

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque also admitted he was content with his team’s performance.

“We have finished our preparations and we can go to South Africa in good spirits,” he said.

Villa and David Silva had given Spain a 2-0 lead with goals in the 12th and 14th minutes with Xabi Alonso adding a third in the 51st.

Cesc Fabregas, also a second substitute for Xabi, added to the tally in the 57th minute before Pedro added the sixth in the 80th minute after setting up Torres’s goal.

Spain, who had defeated Saudi Arabia 3-2 and South Korea 1-0 in recent friendlies, dominated from the start against Poland and enjoyed 70 percent of the possession in the first 30 minutes.

Captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas had little to do with only a 26th-minute shot from Slawomir Peszko warming his hands.

Spain, who leave for South Africa on Thursday, only had one moment of concern when Andres Iniesta was taken off with a right thigh injury in the first half.

Spain open their World Cup Group H campaign against Switzerland on June 16 before playing Honduras on June 21 and Chile on June 25.