DAVID VILLA (2008)

 IT was the tournament the Spaniards finally laid their reputation as big stage chokers to rest — and the predatory talent of Villa played a key role.

 The Valencia striker had already hit six goals in the qualifiers and kicked off the campaign with a stunning hat-trick against Russia.

 Outshining strike partner and new Liverpool Kop idol Fernando Torres, Villa then scored a late winner in Luis Aragones' side's next game with Sweden.

 Rested for the final group match, the marksman returned for ther quarter-final and slotted a penalty in a shootout against Italy to help his side reach the last four.

 He limped out of the semi and could not regain fitness in time for the final against the Germans — a comprehensive 1-0 victory where Torres scored — but still secured the Golden Boot as the tournament's leading scorer.

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