Spain better than 2010 team, says Torres

Fernando Torres believes the current Spain squad is better than the one that lifted the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy in South Africa.

Spain’s title defence started on the worst possible note after they were dismantled 5-1 by the Netherlands in their Group B opener on Friday – a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final.

Vicente del Bosque’s squad have been criticised for being too old following the defeat in Salvador, which was the first time Spain had conceded five goals in a match since losing 6-2 to Scotland in 1963.

But speaking ahead of Spain’s second Group B fixture against Chile on Wednesday, Torres said the team in Brazil was an improvement on the side that took to the field four years ago.

“We are the same as we were a week ago, or four years ago. The team has matured with age,” Torres told FIFA.com.

“There is nothing to say that the team is worse, I would say it is a lot better.

“Psychologically we are prepared. We need to look at Chile and analyse them.

“Mentally I think the team is prepared for a situation like this. This group has gone through very good and very bad moments together.

“We know what we are capable of and I don’t think the psychological factor will be a problem.”

Torres added: “There is no reason to change our system. In South Africa we lost the first game and we kept doing the same and were champions.

“We have to think that this team still has a lot of football ahead of it to achieve things once more.”

“There will be a lot of people that believe in this team, that we have seen lift us up in similar situations and that will be with us.”

Defeat to Chile would spell the end of Spain’s quest to retain the world title if the Netherlands also beat Australia in the other Group B game.

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas is under no illusions as to what is at stake.

“Chile will try to get their chances, pushing us in our defence and they will try to score a goal. They will try to win too,” he said.

“It will be a big fight but we have to win. We need to take advantage on their weakness they have.

“It’s a ‘death or life match’ because if we don’t won we will leave the World Cup. It will be a massive match.”