Xabi Alonso believes Torres will be fine

Xabi Alonso has assured Spain fans ahead of their quarter final clash with Paraguay – Fernando Torres will hit the right notes soon.

The Liverpool striker, still searching for full match fitness after injury, has yet to score in Spain’s first four matches.

But former club colleague Alonso is convinced it’s only a matter of time before Torres starts firing on all cylinders.

"Fernando is working really hard," Alonso told said. “Strikers are valued for their goals. Hopefully an important one will come soon enough.

“He plays most of the time on his own between two central defenders. It's not easy but we're really confident that he'll score soon."

Fabregas supports Fernando Torres

Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has become the latest figure in the Iberian unit to voice his support for out-of-form striker Fernando Torres. Coach Vicente del Bosque had insisted on Thursday that he would back the Liverpool striker despite his disappointing form in the World Cup finals in South Africa and on the eve of their quarter-final clash with Paraguay, Fabregas has also expressed his support for Torres. "This boy is accustomed to this kind of situation. He's accustomed to all these situations because he's been under pressure ever since he was a little boy," Fabregas has been quoted by FIFA as saying. "He is very much at ease and I think tomorrow he will have a possibility to showcase his talents to see whether he can take this team to the highest possible ranks." Fabregas himself has played a minor role for the European champions at the World Cup but he seemingly doesn't mind playing in bits and pieces for the team. "The important thing is motivating yourself and believing that you will make it to the pitch, that you will be important during the match and you are really strong for the team. "Because today, perhaps you play, perhaps you don't play. You must be able to feel that you will be able to do something in the match. If you are not being fielded, you must celebrate with your friends and enjoy it."

Match Report:Spain 3-0 Denmark [Friendly]

Vicente Del Bosque made a winning debut as Spain coach Wednesday, with the European champion beating Denmark 3-0 in a friendly behind two goals from substitute Xabi Alonso.
Del Bosque replaced Luis Aragones after Euro 2008 in June, and saw Spain's unbeaten streak reach 23 games in his first match in charge.
Alonso came on for David Villa after halftime and gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute with a volley from 10 yards out after taking a pass from Liverpool teammate Fernando Torres.
Xavi Hernandez made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute with a low shot past Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, before Alonso added his second in injury time, slotting in a half-volley from close range after a pass from Diego Capel.
Denmark had controlled play in the first half, but Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas dived to save a shot from Daniel Jensen on a ball from veteran Jon Dahl Tomasson in the 11th minute.

Teams:
Denmark: Thomas Sorensen, Christian Poulsen, Martin Laursen, Daniel Agger, Michael Silberbauer, Lars Jacobsen (Jonas Borring, 71), Daniel Jensen (Martin Retov, 78), Martin Vingaard (Christopher Poulsen, 54), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Mikkel Thygesen 54), Dennis Rommedahl, Nicklas Bendtner.
Spain: Iker Casillas (Pepe Reina 75); Raul Albiol, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta (Santi Cazorla, 62), David Villa (Xabi Alonso 46), Xavi Hernandez, Fernando Torres (Daniel Guiza, 62), Joan Capdevila, Sergio Ramos (Andoni Iraola, 76) Marcos Senna (Diego Capel 46), David Silva.
Highlights: