Our Bureau
Kolkata
Spain’s dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph over Argentina has also rekindled memories of a lesser-known chapter in Indian football history, with match-winner Ferran Torres having first showcased his talent on Indian soil nearly a decade ago.
Torres, who scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of the World Cup final to hand Spain a 1-0 victory, has emerged as one of the tournament’s defining figures. Introduced as a substitute, the Barcelona forward etched his name into football history by becoming only the second player to score a World Cup-winning goal off the bench in a final, joining Germany’s Mario Götze.
Long before becoming Spain’s World Cup hero, Torres was part of the Spanish squad that competed in the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by India in 2017. Then a promising 17-year-old from Valencia’s academy, he played a key role in Spain’s run to the final, contributing two goals and two assists. The tournament took him to Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where Indian fans witnessed the early signs of the player who would later conquer football’s biggest stage. Defender Eric García, another member of Spain’s 2026 World Cup-winning squad, was also part of that U-17 team.
Torres’ rise has been marked by perseverance. After losing his place in Spain’s starting XI earlier in the tournament amid criticism over missed opportunities, he returned when it mattered most, capitalising on a rebound in extra time to secure Spain’s second World Cup title. Following the victory, an emotional Torres admitted he was still struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the achievement, describing the triumph as a dream shared by the Spanish people.
