Fernando Torres has reflected on the gruelling conditions Spain played against Italy in and on how wins like this are what make teams champions.
“It is another one of those games where we have had to suffer, like against Italy in 2008 and Portugal at the last European Championship,” mused Torres afterwards.
“To be champions you have to go through this. It is what makes this team very difficult.
“No-one has achieved this before. We are going to enjoy it.
“With three centre-backs against me, I was disadvantaged, but I gave everything that I had.
“We’ve all run a lot, the attitude must be taken into account. We were dead people. In the second half we wanted to draw strength, but we were dead after running a lot in the first half.
“We now need to recover and be as best as possible for the next game. We have one less day of rest, we will notice that, but it is what it is.”
Torres was curiously replaced at the start of extra-time by defensive midfielder Javi Martinez, who maintained position in attack.
“We have never rehearsed it in training, but Vicente told us at the break, we did not want to lose aerial presence.”
