David Villa showed that Spain's opponents at the European Championship have a lot more to worry about than just Fernando Torres.
The Valencia striker scored a hat trick yesterday to lead Spain 4-1 over Russia, becoming the first player to get three goals in a European Championship game since Sergio Conceicao of Portugal and Patrick Kluivert of the Netherlands both accomplished the feat at the 2000 edition.
Spain's Sergio Ramos (L) fights for the ball against an unidentified Russian player during the Euro 2008 Group D football match between Spain and Russia at Tivoli Neu Stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 10, 2008. Spain won 4-1. (Xinhua/Yuan Man)
"I'm happier for the three points rather than the three goals," Villa said.
Torres fed the streaking Villa for a right-footed goal in the 20th minute.Villa later slid Andres Iniesta's slick pass under goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev for his second in the 44th, and then completed his memorable Group D game after dribbling around Roman Shirokov in the 74th to slot past Akinfeev with his right foot.
"Three goals, a hat trick with the national team _ it's started well," the 26-year-old Villa said. "We're off to a good start. But there are still two games to go."
Cesc Fabregas added a fourth for in injury time to give Spain an extra boost confidence in a tournament where it is pegged as a favorite.
"Everyone knows about the importance of this. We'll take advantage of this momentum and boost going forward," said coach Luis Aragones, who has led Spain on a seven-game winning run as part of a 17-match unbeaten streak.
Roman Pavlyuchenko scored Russia's lone goal with a header in the 86th as Russia lost its opening game to Spain for the second straight European Championship.
Russia had its chances in a rainy, high-tempo first half with Igor Semshov shooting wide after being played into the area by Aleksandr Anyukuv in the 17th and Konstantin Zyryanov hit the near post after the Spanish defense failed to clear six minutes later.