Ferran Torres recounts World Cup winning goal and PSG transfer on El Hormiguero

Television appearance and the winning strike

Spanish forward Ferran Torres visited the Antena 3 program El Hormiguero on Monday night, 21 September 2026, to discuss his decisive role in Spain's World Cup victory and his recent transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. Torres entered the studio in Madrid wearing a striped shirt and declared his pride in bringing joy to the country. The forward scored the winning goal in the 106th minute of extra time against Argentina on 19 July 2026, delivering Spain its second men's World Cup title. Torres explained that the surge of adrenaline during the moment left him unable to recall the actual strike immediately afterward, prompting him to ask his parents how the play unfolded. He recounted watching the replay at least once every day since the final, stating that he never grows tired of the footage.

When I saw the ball go toward Nico, I felt I was on an island, that it was only me.

Dissecting the final moments on the pitch

Torres detailed the sequence leading to the goal, which began when Lamine Yamal passed the ball backward to Pedro Porro along the wing. As the ball moved toward Nico Williams, Torres stepped forward behind the opposing defender and experienced a second of complete silence before striking the ball with full power. He noted that the sensation matched what Andrés Iniesta described before scoring in the 2010 final against the Netherlands. The ensuing celebration left Torres with a bruised instep after kicking the corner flag, followed by a moment of panic as twenty teammates sprinted toward him in celebration. Addressing the criticism he faced for missed opportunities earlier in the tournament, Torres remarked that scrutiny often accompanies significant achievements on the pitch.

During the World Cup I happened to miss a few chances and was heavily criticized. In the end, if I have learned anything, it is that whenever they talk about you, good or bad, it means you are doing something bigger than them.

Meeting the viral fan and banter with the host

During the broadcast, host Pablo Motos introduced Rocío Domingo, the supporter who gained widespread internet attention during the tournament after her enthusiastic phrase praising Torres went viral. Torres admitted feeling embarrassed by the phrase that people now use to greet him in public, even following his move to France. When Motos asked Domingo to recreate the catchphrase on set, Torres joked about whether guest appearances on the program were mandatory. The interview also revisited an encounter between Torres and Motos at an Ibiza nightclub after the final, where the two celebrated until sunrise alongside mixed martial artist Ilia Topuria. Motos confessed on air that he had not watched the final or any match of the tournament, learning about Torres's winning goal only after the player mentioned how Topuria's mindset inspired him.

Adaptation to Paris and life after Barcelona

Following his World Cup campaign in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Torres completed a transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in search of a larger role. In Paris, the forward reunited with manager Luis Enrique, with whom he previously worked on the national team and whose daughter, Sira Martínez, Torres had dated for approximately three years. Torres has started his season in France with seven goals across six matches. While reflecting on his move abroad, Torres joked that while he had to transport all his belongings from Catalonia to the French capital, former Barcelona teammate Pedri was the one person he could not bring along with him.