Villa takes a step closer to second Golden Shoe in a row
Published:David Villa doesn’t need any kind of Cinderella-style prince to help him with his footwear, as he showed last night by scoring the winning goal against Portugal.
It was his fourth strike of the World Cup showing that not only are his shooting boots fitting nicely but that the competition’s Golden Shoe may soon be slipping on comfortably too.
David Villa has moved to 2/1 joint-favourite to finish the World Cup’s top scorer, alongside Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain.
Despite playing on the left to accommodate Fernando Torres, Villa rained down numerous efforts on Eduardo’s goal, before finally finding a way past the determined keeper with a shot that went in off the bar after his first attempt had been saved. Such brazen desire evidentally makes him a great bet.
If the new Barcelona man were to achieve the title is would secure a double only shared by Germany legend Gerd Muller, in winning top scorer titles in successive major tournaments.
Villa scored four goals on the way to his side’s successful Euro 2008 campaign to finish its best marksman, while Muller banged in 10 at the 1970 World Cup before netting four times at Euro 1972.
A unique feat could be achieved if he were to help spur his side on to victory, though, as never before has a top scorer at successive international events also won the overall title with his country – Muller’s Germany were knocked out of the 1970 World Cup by Italy at the semi-final stage.
After the round-of-16 victory over their fierce rivals, Spain have been installed as 3/1 second-favourites to win the World Cup, behind Brazil (9/4) and ahead of Argentina (7/2).
That they face Paraguay, one of the easier teams left in the competition, in the quarter-finals makes both that price, and Villa’s personal odds, look appealing. A Spain 3-0 win after 90 minutes is 8/1.
It is 9/2 for Spain and Villa to make history by being the winners and top scorer of the tournament. A Luis Fabiano and Brazil combination is also 9/2, while Higuain with Argentina is 7/1. Miroslav Klose with Germany is a distant fourth-favourite at 25/1.
Can Spain become the first team to claim the Euro crown then the World Cup in successive events? It’s a 2/1 shot. Spain are 4/9 to beat Paraguay in 90 minutes.
