'Ferrari' Raul speeds to top of Spain scoring charts

Fernando Hierro always knew his record as Spain's leading international goalscorer would not last long.

"There's a Ferrari by the name of Raul coming up behind us and he's going to overtake us all," the Real Madrid centre-back predicted when he took over at the top of the scoring charts in March 2001.

Two years on, in his 59th international appearance and at the age of just 25, Spanish football's pre-eminent talent proved the wisdom of that forecast as he scored twice in a 3-1 friendly win over Germany to become his country's top scorer.

Raul's 30th and 31st international goals, a neat turn and shot to put Spain 1-0 up on 31 minutes and a second-half penalty to restore the lead, took him past the mark of 29 he had shared with Hierro since September last year.

The Real Madrid striker celebrated both goals in trademark fashion, discreetly kissing his wedding ring before raising both arms aloft as he ran back up the pitch.

"It was great to score because this was my second opportunity and now I've got it," Raul said.

"Now at least people will stop asking me about when I'm going to break the record."

Raul's historic first goal provided a neat illustration of the disarming brilliance of a player who possesses no great pace, sometimes seems clumsy with the ball at his feet and often misses the simpler chances that come his way.

There appeared to be little danger for Germany as Ruben Baraja floated a high ball to the front of the penalty area, with Raul being closely watched by Christoph Metzelder.

Before the German defender really knew what was happening, Raul had controlled the ball and turned to create just enough space to get in a shot.

At first he looked to have skewed his effort towards Oliver Kahn's left-hand post but the way the ball powered into the inside netting showed the execution had been perfect.

"Raul's first goal should be recorded on video and shown to all young players at school," Spain's coach Ianki Saez said in evident satisfaction.

"Everyone should see the qualities this player has."

Raul's qualities have been evident to everyone in Spain ever since he made his Real Madrid debut as a slightly-built 17-year-old back in 1994.

He was handed an international debut in 1996, breaking his scoring duck in his third appearance, a 2-0 win over Yugoslavia in December of that year.

He has found the net for Spain regularly ever since.

His 23rd goal in 49 games in November 2001 took him level with Alfredo di Stefano in third place and he soon surpassed Emilio Butragueno's 26-goal haul, eventually drawing level with Hierro with his 29th in a 2-0 win over Greece last year.

Along the way there have been disappointments.

He managed just one goal as Spain limped out of after the first phase of the World Cup in 1998 and four years later injury ruled him out of the quarter-final defeat to South Korea when he was so badly needed by his country.

Raul's worst international moment came between those tournaments in a quarter-final defeat to France in Euro 2000, when in the dying seconds he blasted a penalty high over the bar to consign his side to a 2-1 defeat.

His second goal against Germany on Wednesday was his first penalty for Spain since that tearful night in Bruges and there was evident relief as he celebrated his 31st international strike.

"That was the first one since Euro 2000 and this time I was lucky enough to score it," Raul said.

"I just hope there are more goals to come. I want to keep the fans cheering."