Posted by ESPN.com

Villa is making a case as the best striker in the world (Guardian): And still the goals come, with the certainty of thunder following lightning. Left foot, right foot. Up close, from distance. The grubby and the divine.

David Villa's second-time-lucky strike against Portugal took his total to seven goals in eight World Cup matches, two more than anyone else in Spain's history. His scoring rate for the national team -- 42 goals in 62 games -- is better than anyone since Alfredo di Stéfano.

And, most important of all, he revived a squad that appeared dazed and confused after its opening defeat by Switzerland. Spain still does not look as fluent as it did at Euro 2008, and there are suspicions that Xavi is dropping too deep alongside Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets, fraying the silky fluidity between the midfield and forward line. But Villa has been as impressive as ever, scoring four of his team's five goals and providing an assist for the other, as Spain has found itself again. As his teammate Gerard Piqué puts it: "Villa is on fire and we are playing better in every game."

Even Villa's most vital statistics belie the full extent of his contribution to Vicente del Bosque's side. He is dogged on the chase on the rare occasions Spain loses possession. He flits from the left of a three-man attack to leading the line with the ease of someone switching from their favorite loafers into a pair of well-worn slippers. And, on a team that appears to want to pay over-frequent homage to Leeds' celebrated 28-pass move against Southampton in 1972, Villa has a refreshing directness. One touch. Bam.

Right now, few would dispute that he is the best striker in the world. Yet while Villa, signed by Barcelona early this summer, is basking in global adulation, his strike partner, Fernando Torres, is in danger of suffering the soccer equivalent of a double-dip recession.

Torres scored just once at Euro 2008, albeit the winning goal in the final, and, still not fully fit after a knee injury, has looked short of everything -- pace, games, confidence -- in South Africa. Although some in Spain believe the pair cannot play together, Villa has consistently stuck up for his partner.

"I don't think Torres has been lackluster," he said this week. "He hasn't scored a goal but he has done spectacular work and made enormous efforts to help this team."

Perhaps Villa understands Torres' frustrations. At the end of last season, as Valencia slogged to a Champions League place, Villa looked like a comic book hero who had misplaced his magical powers. But, refreshed by a fortnight's holiday, the sharpness and speed have returned at this World Cup -- along with the goals. Two, in particular, have showcased the versatility of his talents: the opener against Honduras when he dribbled between two players into the box, cut back on to his right foot and lifted a shot high into the net; and a quick look-and-lob with his left foot from 45 yards against Chile.

As Villa explains, his two-footedness is owed to his father, a decent amateur, who helped him develop his weaker left foot after, at age 4, he broke his right femur. "He would be there throwing me the ball over and over, making me kick it with my left leg when my right was in plaster after breaking it," he says. "I was four. I can barely remember a single training session when my dad wasn't there."

So far, Villa has rarely put a foot wrong. ... His face now appears everywhere in Spain, while his surname has rightly become worldwide shorthand for supreme excellence, along with the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and a handful of others. Soon, Raúl's all-time record of 44 goals for Spain will be in his grasp -- Villa is just two behind despite having played 40 fewer matches -- and, if he keeps scoring, so might be the biggest prize of all. The World Cup.