Italy drew 1-1 in a friendly against Spain, the final game for both clubs before naming their rosters for the upcoming European championships.

Atletico de Madrid's 20-year-old striker Fernando Torres scored his first goal for Spain in the 53rd minute on a perfect set up from fellow second-half substitute Juan Carlos Valeron, and Inter Milan's disgruntled power forward Christian Vieri replied for Italy three minutes later off a cross from Stefano Fiore.

The closest scoring chance for the 37-year-old Baggio came just before halftime, when the legendary striker with the graying ponytail sent a header just wide.

"Tonight's game will be the most beautiful memory of my career," Baggio said. "Over the course of a professional career there are the goals and the victories, but nothing was as beautiful as the demonstration of affection that these people gave me today.

"I thank Trapattoni for giving me this opportunity," he said.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni called Baggio up as a special "farewell" gesture before the the country's favorite player retires next month at the end of the Italian league season.

He had not played for the national team in five years and fans throughout Italy were anxious to see how he would perform.

Hampered slightly by a right thigh injury suffered in a league match for Brescia on Sunday, he did not look like his normal self.

Still, when Baggio was replaced by Fabrizio Miccoli in the 87th, he was treated to an extended standing ovation.

"I saw him leave the field with tears in his eyes," Trapattoni said. "He loves soccer and he's given soccer a lot."

Baggio said he was not expecting to play so many minutes.

"You can see the coach wanted to give me the possibility to score a goal, which unfortunately did not happen," he said.

Fans and media are still hoping Trapattoni changes his mind and decides to include Baggio on his roster for the Euros.

At a news conference Tuesday, with Baggio sitting right next to him, Trapattoni left open such a tantalizing possibility.

"The future is in the hands of god," the coach said then. "You never say never in soccer."

After the match, "Trap" reiterated his stance, saying Baggio likely has "no future" on the team, but that he will keep the remote idea in mind.

"Baggio is 70 kilometers from me when he practices, so I know where he is," Trapattoni said of the distance between his home in Milan and Baggio's base in Brescia.

At the match, fans chanted Baggio's name all night and banners dedicated to him filled the stands at soldout Luigi Ferraris stadium.

"The world appreciates you, Europe appreciates you, Italy has never forgotten you. Roby Baggio: welcome back," said one.

"With Baggio on the national team, Europe can be conquered," said another banner, expressing hope that Baggio is selected for the June 12-July 4 tournament in Portugal.

Another lamented Trapattoni's decision to leave Baggio home from the 2002 World Cup, when Italy lost in the second round to co-host South Korea in overtime. "Thanks for the idea Trap, but we wanted him in Korea," it said.

And: "Maradona + Pele = Baggio"

Baggio said that the fan outpouring -- "the love of the people" _ was the "most beautiful thing" of the evening.

Baggio's last match for Italy was a Euro 2000 qualifier against Belarus on March 31, 1999. Since making his debut in 1989, this was his 56th appearance in all for the "Azzurri." He stands fourth on the team's all-time scoring list with 27 goals.

He has also scored 11 times in Serie A this season, placing him among the league leaders.

Real Madrid star Raul Gonzalez had the first scoring chance of the match, sending in a low, mid-range shot that Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon did well to deflect over the bar in the fourth minute.

Four minutes later, Spain thought it had scored, but a goal by Madrid defender Ivan Helguera was annulled for offsides.

Italy took 20 minutes to organize its first attack, with Baggio carrying the ball upfield, and midfielder Simone Perrotta concluding the action with a shot that was blocked in the area.

In the 28th, Baggio sent a floating pass from the left flank toward the far post that Christian Vieri nearly headed in.

Fernando Morientes, the striker who has led Monaco to the brink of the Champions Cup final, had his shot deflected wide in the 33rd.

Just before halftime, Baggio sent a header off am Andrea Pirlo free kick just wide. Despite the miss, the crowd erupted into a "Ro-berto Baggio" chant, which was revived when the striker left the field three minutes from the end, clapping his hands over his head.

Afterward, Baggio said his mind was made up about retiring at the end of the Serie A season on May 16, adding that he would only play more if he is invited to the Euros.

"Otherwise, thanks anyway and arrivederci," he said.