Ferran Torres scores hattrick for Spain - Germany suffer historic defeat

Manchester City winger Ferran Torres scored a hattrick as Spain thrashed Germany 6-0 in Sevilla to secure a place in the Nations League finals at the top of Group A2. Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock in the 17th minute with a towering back-post header from a corner – but then saw another close-range effort ruled out for a debatable offside call.

Torres made it 2-0 after 33 minutes when he volleyed the ball in after Dani Olmo’s header hit the crossbar. Germany, who had only needed a draw to win the group, fell further behind just five minutes later when City midfielder Rodri nodded in from a corner.

 

Spain captain Sergio Ramos – who saw two penalties against Switzerland saved – was forced off just before half-time with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. It was 4-0 after 54 minutes when Spain left-back Jose Gaya made the most of some uncharacteristic wayward German defending to set up another for Torres.

The City winger completed his hat-trick with 18 minutes left when he curled a first-time shot past Manuel Neuer. Substitute Mikel Oyarzabal knocked in a late sixth to complete a memorable victory for La Roja. For Germany, it was the biggest defeat in a competitive fixture and their biggest loss in any game since falling 6-0 to Austria in May 1931(Germany's record matches at a glance). 

Highest defeats in Germany's history:

• Spain 6:0 Germany – Nations League 2020


• Hungary 8:3 Germany – World Cup 1954


• Germany 1:5 England – World Cup qualification (2001)


• Brazil 4:0 Germany – Confedcup 1999


• France 6:3 Germany - World Cup 1958


• Netherlands 3:0 Germany – Nations League 2018 D


• Germany 0:3 Czech Republic – Euro qualification (2007)


• Portugal 3:0 Germany – Euro 2000


• Germany 0:3 Croatia – World Cup 1998