Saul Niguez has described scoring for Spain in his hometown of Elche against Croatia as ‘fulfilling a boyhood dream’.
The Atletico Madrid midfielder – who scored in Tuesday’s 6-0 rout – was born in the city and has previously explained his dream is to play for his hometown club one day.
“I have fulfilled a boyhood dream,” Saul is cited as saying by Cadena Cope.
“Everything went better than what I expected, then what I could have dreamed, and of course when the goal went in it was very exciting for me.
“Many things have changed for Spain now, we want to hurt our opponents in the most effective possible way.
“The World Cup was very tough for us but that is now in the past and now we are looking ahead.”
