Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was grateful to South African fans for their support in Spain's 5-0 Confederations Cup victory over New Zealand this week.

"I would like to thank all the Africans here," he said.

"It's great. It almost feels like home and it's good to be in a team which is winning fans all over the world.

"It is good to have them feel happy now - and also we want to make them happy at the World Cup next year.

"Nobody is easy to beat 5-0, especially when you are playing against champions of the different confederations. We scored three early goals and the game was over in the first half.

"I want to say thank you to the African fans who welcomed especially me. This hat-trick is for them.

"We expected to win, but not by five goals."