Spanish striker Fernando Torres has saved Japanese side Sagan Tosu from direct relegation with a late goal ensuring they beat Yokohama F Marinos 2-1.
Torres has endured a difficult spell in Japan with goals hard to come by, but the former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid man was at hand to cooly finish a right-footed effort and leave the club on 40 points with a game left.
Fernando Torres ha marcado el gol decisivo con el que Sagan Tosu evita el descenso en Japón. Ídolo. #JLeague pic.twitter.com/Obfq7XKFHx
— A. Gabilondo (@AS_AGabilondo) November 24, 2018
The 34-year-old had only scored twice in 15 games prior to today's game but his intervention was crucial in the end.
The result means Sagan Tosu cannot finish in the bottom two and are tied with Nagoya Grampus and Shonan Bellmare on 40 points. One of those teams will finish 16th and thus have to play a play-off against the third-placed team from Japan's second tier. However, only two points separate the teams from 16-11 and thus theoretically that spot is very much up for grabs and will be decided on the final day of the season.
