The clock said 21:15 CET on June 29, 2008, the day of San Pedro and San Pablo, when Xavi Hernandez raised his head, saw Fernando Torres make a run and played a pass towards the German area.
Lahm, the defender, was outmuscled by El Nino, and as Lehmann came out he saw the ball pass over his head.
It was the goal that ended 44 years of Spanish frustration, and put Vienna as the starting point of a unique journey in the history of football.
A decade later, Torres remembers that night with MARCA.
What do you remember of the move that led to the goal?
"I saw that Xavi received the ball between the lines and that he was very lonely. At that moment, I opened myself up slightly to my right to create space and be able to make a diagonal run towards the goal. Xavi passed but I couldn't reach or control the ball properly because Lahm was close and in a favourable position.
"In that instant I saw that I could continue my run on the outside and Lehmann didn't come out quickly. For a moment I think I can overtake the defender and get there before the goalkeeper, so I accelerated and... the rest is history."
How many things have you saved from that game?
"The kit, the boots, the medal, the match tickets, the press clippings... many memories."
Looking back, and seeing the figure of Luis Aragones, everything experienced by his side, especially during that 2008 European Championship. What are your thoughts?
"I miss him."
Is there something from that day that Luis told you to do, that you have special memories of?
"When he took me to one side alone in a hallway before going out into the field... he put me against the wall and grabbed my chest. He told me: "It's our time, Nino, you're going to go out there, you're going to score two goals and we're going to be European champions." Then he made the sign of the cross on my forehead and let me go."
Are you aware that you changed the history of Spanish football?
"Luis and that group of players changed the story. I was lucky to be part of it and I am very proud."
Did you ever talk to Lehmann or Lahm about that day?
"I met Lahm many times on the pitch after that game. One day we stopped to talk before the European Super Cup between Chelsea and Bayern (2013). He told me that whenever we played against each other I scored a goal, but that he was calm that day. I think I scored after 15 minutes. I have always been a great admirer of Lahm.
"With Lehman I saw him this past season at Arsenal-Atletico in London. We met in the tunnel and he said: "Hey, I remember you." I raised my head and saw him. I greeted him and told him that I also remembered him, we laughed and talked a little bit about football."
How do you describe to your children what that month was like in Austria?
"I tell them that in life, on some occasions they will think of achieving something that seems impossible. Many people will tell them that they can't do it, that they will not be able because they are not good enough, that they will fail. And those people will be waiting for that failure in order to feel that nobody can achieve something they would never dare to try.
"And they will also find people with their same dream and together they will be able to move mountains and will be able to achieve what they set out to do. That the road will be hard, full of doubts and obstacles, but that they are necessary to achieve what they want.
"I will also tell them that when they do succeed, those who encouraged them not to try will want to get jump on the bandwagon of success because it means they have learned the lesson and will never tell anyone that something is impossible. I will tell them that there was a time when Spain was not the Spain of today, a candidate for winning everything and favourite for all.
"That the fans themselves doubted that the group would win and their coach was looked down upon and invited to resign daily, but we formed a group that shouted to the world that we were there to change history.
How do you see Spain in this World Cup?
"I wish them the best, I have many friends and colleagues in that group. Hopefully any doubts will serve as a stimulus to grow as a team within the World Cup."
And if Diego Costa is the Torres of 2008...
"I wish it was him, or Saul, or Koke..."
frank_leo
2
The great El Nino
Futbolista
2
This wonderful Gol that my beloved Fernando Torres scored was the first ever Gol I saw. I remember it like if it was yesterday. After that, Torres and Spain won many trophies! You will forever be my favorite! ¡Viva El Niño por siempre!
Futbolista
2
Spain 2008-2012, the best selection in history.
Indeed!
cupmrt
3
once a legend,always a legend😎😎
IndikaAsiriSR4
1
That's true. Oh that's damn true.
Yeah
pershalyngkhoi
1
But it didnt
Maaciklopt
2
Damn True🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
[image]
That's true. Oh that's damn true.
Maaciklopt
1
Damn True🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
[image]
That's true. Oh that's damn true.
austin3451
0
Damn True🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
[image]
you always talk of legends. De Gea is better than Casillas. Costa is better than Torres because so far he has scored many goals than Torres. And remember he has several years left before he retires
IndikaAsiriSR4
4
Damn True🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
illusion
2
Torres lives off the goal of the 2006 final. Then he did not do anything. He won UEFA with Chelsea and scored in the final and semis. But he lives in 2006. He won the Champions League by eliminating Barça with a goal. But he lives in 2006. Won the World Cup and participated in the goal of Iniesta. Win the Euro 2012 was top scorer and frame in the final. Top scorer of the confederaciónes.Acaba winning another UEFA scoring goals.
introduc
1
Now they try to get people to support Spain, after passing the group stage, taking controversial issues to sell more ... can it be more hypocritical and more cynical than this newspaper? Good morning and live Spain.
building
1
Never, never, never forget that the same ones who ask today in the world championship in Spain of more substitute players of the team that has been to 17 points of the champion, are the same ones that asked the head of Luis Aragones for not summoning Raul.
loown
2
Luis put me against a wall ... and there I stopped reading and the imagination has started to fly
yuyu21
1
The day that Fernando tells the truth of his relationship with Del Bosque and why he stopped combocarlo .... some will drop the mask. Fernando has always been a man with his answers and he always bites his tongue to avoid damaging his teams or his coaches
Trannyswwet
1
Just say that the forest lived what Don Luis Aragonese did. He did well in the World Cup and Eurocopa but he did not know how to renew the team and in Brazil what happened happened and in the European Championship more of the same.
courtlow
1
Torres legend of Atlético de Madrid and of the national team.
UARTsure
1
You are not the only one who misses the great Luis ...
therefore
1
I do not understand the people who criticize the selection in any of its forms (coach or some players), falling in the second round against Russia would not be a failure, I would start to worry if 20 years pass and we have not won another World Cup , But to win a world championship every 20 years? Where to sign?. Today's children are very badly used, I already wait for 2030 if I have the luck and health for it.
Rivergad
1
Every time I read things about what Luis said, it's no wonder that the players came out motivated. XD What a shame that he left before the World Cup in South Africa, he deserved to be the one to win, not only was he the first to see what he had, but He knew how to take advantage of all the players very well and put many noses to continue with his idea despite the stick of 2006.
L10NELMESSI
2
FT YNWA
ointment
0
How is the World Cup with Luis we got it safe. I was going to say and with a goalkeeper but it is sure that Luis managed to get up to De Gea. It is not only the merit of winning the Euro. It is that he did it and got them to be important with people like S.Garcia.Juanito, De la Red, Guiza, F.Navarro, etc.
Austinbob
1
Thanks Torres! Apart from what I represent as a player, I like this profile of a champion, such as Iniesta or Villa. You can see that they are people with values. The children who criticize here do not realize where we were and what we get that I doubt very much what we return to. I have met many people who went to the grave without seeing it and thinking that we would never gain anything.
Austinbob
1
Spain 2008-2012, the best selection in history.
Karenen
1
The true architect of the selection was Don Luis Aragones. A pity that could not see more of him in the selection after 2008. This guy always had the balls to say things as they are. We miss you in this selection ...
reasonlife
1
"I will tell you that in life, they will think about achieving something that seems impossible, many people will tell you that they can not, that they will not be able because they are not good enough, that they will fail. in order to feel that nobody can achieve something that they would never dare to try. " - Fernando Torres 2018
Merlelin
1
The second top scorer in the history of the national team, which some around here claim to live off this goal against Germany. the best thing is that they can not erase what is already written, the only thing they can do is swallow and spit trickery.
hukcal
1
How big the child, Torres, Iniesta and Villa, how big and humble they are ... Some gardeners should learn from them.
Mageecolun
1
A goal that I will never forget, and against Mannschaft, although after the injury he lived a lot of the story of this goal, but they also did, do and will do others who did not give us that.
actually
0
I wish I could say that I do not miss him in the selection ..
taxatione
1
Thanks Fernando for your goal. I will always remember that play, the first time I saw my national team win. Clear example that you can always do what you get. Let the mediocre ones who only know how to criticize learn what they have left ...
Benjamin Guo
3
but now spain do not have a forward as good as fernando torres