But there was nothing Valdez could do to prevent the prolific Villa from equalling Emilio Butragueno's Spanish record of five goals at a World Cup finals, which was set in 1986.
Now he is closing in on Spain's most prolific goalscorers in the national team's history - his captain Fernando Hierro (on 27 goals) and Emilio 'The Vulture' Butragueno on 26.