The Porto-bound Danilo curled in a superb free-kick in the 3-1 semi-final win over Japan's Kashiwa Reysol as Brazil hot-shots Neymar, Elano and Paulo Henrique Ganso looked on.
"It was the first free-kick I've scored for Santos," the precocious 20-year-old said of his goal, bent brilliantly around the Reysol wall.
"Even though we've got Elano, Ganso and Neymar, who all strike the ball very well, I thought it was worth a try since I've been scoring quite a few in training."
The Spanish champions were visibly upset at hearing of Villa's injury but all eyes will be on Argentine wizard Lionel Messi and Neymar, the 19-year-old pretender to his throne.
"It's incredible," he told FIFA.com. "It feels as if it was destined that my final game at Santos would be a World Cup final against Barcelona."
"Given how much talent they have, we'll have to be a bit more cautious." admitted Danilo. "I'm certain if we have a good day we're in with a good chance of winning."
