Fernando Torres returns as Spain cruise past Poland

Torres, 26, missed the end of Liverpool's season with a knee injury (Photo: Ryu Voelkel)

Fernando Torres made his return from injury as Spain cantered to a 6-0 victory over Poland in their final World Cup warm-up match.

The Liverpool striker combined with Cesc Fábregas to score Spain’s fifth, but worryingly for Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, playmaker Andres Iniesta limped off with a leg injury before the break.

The 26-year-old midfielder appeared to suffer a recurrence of the same thigh injury which forced him to miss large portions of Barcelona’s campaign.

“[He was replaced] for precautions only after feeling a tweak in his thigh, but hopefully it’s nothing. The doctors will keep us up to date,” del Bosque reassured fans after the match.

Iniesta had created Spain’s opener after 13 minutes when he set up new Barcelona team-mate David Villa. And a minute later he crafted their second with a delightful cross for David Silva to stroke home.

Xabi Alonso and Fábregas each added to the scoreline before the much-anticipated return of Torres. The Liverpool striker had been ruled out for over a month following an operation on torn cartilage in his right knee.

However the 26-year-old returned to the international scene in style with a well taken goal, slotting Pedro’s cross past Tomasz Kuszczak.

A superb overall display was capped by Pedro who added a sixth goal, leaving Kuszczak stranded with his chipped effort.

After the match Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid full back, was quick to dismiss talk of Spain being favourites in South Africa.

“Obviously the favourites are Italy, Brazil, Portugal, Holland…in this year’s tournament we will see so many good players which make the World Cup so interesting and exciting,” Ramos said after the match.

“So, we pass the status of being  favourites to the other teams.”