Spain have lost Ferran Torres to a left-ankle problem on the eve of their UEFA Nations League match against Spain vs Czech Republic. The Spanish federation said he left camp because of pain in the ankle, and Luis de la Fuente has called up Carlos Espí as the replacement.
Spain's late adjustment
The official line is straightforward. Torres had been training and playing despite the discomfort, but the symptoms kept going, so the federation decided to withdraw him and protect his recovery.
The timing is awkward for Spain. They face Czech Republic on 3 October 2026, then Croatia on 6 October 2026, so the senior squad change lands right before two Nations League fixtures.
Espí's chance is sudden, and it is a real step up. The Under-21 forward has 1 goal in 3 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid, with only 13 minutes across those three outings.
Torres' club form before the setback
Torres had arrived at the break in strong scoring form for Paris Saint Germain. He has 4 Ligue 1 goals in 5 appearances and 3 goals in 1 Champions League outing, which is why the ankle issue will be watched closely back in Paris.
The club context matters because PSG are also moving into a busy stretch, with their next listed match at home to Le Mans on 10 October 2026. Spain will be hoping the issue settles quickly, but the immediate news is the squad change and Espí's promotion into the senior setup.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
