All Star Sporty: Spain made history in magical fashion

Spain made history in magical fashion as they outclassed Italy and claimed a successive European crown to add to their 2010 World Cup triumph.

Vicente del Bosque's side staged a compelling claim to be the greatest international side of all time as the Euro 2012 final was transformed into an exhibition with Italy - who performed creditably for long periods - passed brutally into submission.

David Silva's header was reward for Spain's early supremacy and new Barcelona recruit Jordi Alba doubled the lead just before half-time with a blistering run and finish.

Analysis

Chris Waddle BBC Radio 5 live

"We've seen a masterclass today. Spain have been the best team in the world for the last four or five years. They deserved it tonight again, even with 11 v 11. Italy gave a lot of effort, but unfortunately they'd played too many hard games. They felt the pace and Spain, with that superior technique and movement and talent on the ball have run out easy winners. The Spanish have been criticised but they are the best team in the world without a shadow of a doubt."

The scoreline was emphatic at the conclusion but Italy performed with great resolve. Once they were reduced to 10 men after losing third substitute Thiago Motta to injury, however, they were ruthlessly exposed by masters of the passing art.

Fernando Torres emerged as a late substitute to make a powerful impact; steering home Spain's third then setting up Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata to inflict the final wound on a bedraggled Italy.

Spain's virtuoso performance was a decisive answer to a growing band of critics who had forced coach Del Bosque and his players to defend themselves against allegations that they had been "boring" throughout Euro 2012 at the pre-match media conference.

And even Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in an ill-timed contribution, wrote that Spain "have betrayed their philosophy and turned it into something more negative".

Not on this night.

Every quality that has led to them dominating world football since they won Euro 2008 and the World Cup in South Africa two years later was brought to bear.

It was a heartbreaking night for Italy and coach Cesare Prandelli but there was no shame in being beaten by a team of such quality. They can reflect with satisfaction on their work before this chastening evening.

Spain, perhaps stung by the words of criticism aimed in their direction, started with a pace and tempo of passing that the Italians found impossible to live with.

The warning signs were posted for Italy when a long spell of possession ended with Xavi shooting just over - but it was not long before they were ahead.

Cesc Fabregas was employed in the so-called "False Nine" role as Del Bosque played without a conventional striker. The former Arsenal star proved the tactic is a positive force rather than a negative one.

He collected the masterly Andres Iniesta's pass and outflanked Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini before delivering perfectly for Silva to head beyond keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

It was Chiellini's final contribution as he swiftly succumbed to the thigh injury that has been troubling him in the later stages of the tournament and was replaced by Federico Balzaretti.

Italy's response to Silva's goal and the early Spanish onslaught was commendable as Antonio Cassano twice had shots saved by keeper Iker Casillas but a goal of brilliance in creation and execution made their task mountainous.

Alba demonstrated exactly why Barcelona were so keen to bring the graduate of their famous La Masia youth academy back to the Nou Camp from Valencia when he finished a blurring run on to Xavi's perfect pass with a composed finish past Buffon.

Prandelli acted during the interval, sending on Antonio Di Natale for Cassano. Twice he almost got the goal that could have halted Spain, heading just over before bringing a fine save out of Casillas.

Italy's third and final change came when Motta replaced Riccardo Montolivo but Italy's luck was summed up when he suffered a hamstring injury within minutes and the Azzurri were reduced to 10 men.

Spain were now winning with something to spare and Del Bosque took the opportunity to remove the outstanding Fabregas and introduce Chelsea striker Torres for the closing stages.

It was an opportunity he took, adding the final flourishes by steering home Spain's third and unselfishly setting up Mata's finish to round off a spectacular performance.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Spain

01 Casillas
03 Pique Booked
15 Ramos
17 Arbeloa
18 Alba
06 Iniesta (Mata - 87' )
08 Xavi
10 Fabregas (Torres - 75' )
14 Alonso
16 Busquets
21 Silva (Pedrito - 59' )

Substitutes

12 Valdes
23 Reina
02 Albiol
04 Martinez
05 Juanfran
20 Cazorla
22 Navas
07 Pedrito
09 Torres
11 Negredo
13 Mata
19 Llorente

Italy

01 Buffon
03 Chiellini (Balzaretti - 21' )
07 Abate
15 Barzagli Booked
19 Bonucci
08 Marchisio
16 De Rossi
18 Montolivo (Motta - 56' )
21 Pirlo
09 Balotelli
10 Cassano (Di Natale - 46' )

Substitutes

12 Sirigu
14 De Sanctis
02 Maggio
04 Ogbonna
06 Balzaretti
05 Motta
13 Giaccherini
22 Diamanti
23 Nocerino
11 Di Natale
17 Borini
20 Giovinco

Ref: Proenca

Att: 60,000

Match Stats

Possession49%51%94minsSpainItaly

Shots

14 11

On target

9 6

Corners

3 3

Fouls

17 9

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:14 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +2:35

Federico Balzaretti fouled by Rodriguez Pedro, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Federico Balzaretti.

90:00 +2:20

Garcia Sergio Ramos takes a shot. Save by Gianluigi Buffon.

90:00 +1:17

Andrea Pirlo challenges Alvaro Arbeloa unfairly and gives away a free kick. Juan Mata takes the free kick. The ball is crossed by Hernandez Xavi.

90:00 +0:41

Fernando Torres challenges Federico Balzaretti unfairly and gives away a free kick. Federico Balzaretti restarts play with the free kick.

87:45

Assist on the goal came from Fernando Torres.

87:45 Goal scored

Goal - Juan Mata - Spain 4 - 0 Italy Juan Mata scores a goal from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Spain 4-0 Italy.

86:44

The official flags Mario Balotelli offside. Free kick taken by Gerard Pique.

85:26

Andrea Barzagli restarts play with the free kick.

85:26 Substitution

Substitution Juan Mata joins the action as a substitute, replacing Andres Iniesta.

85:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ignazio Abate by Fernando Torres.

83:08

The assist for the goal came from Hernandez Xavi.

83:08 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Spain 3 - 0 Italy A goal is scored by Fernando Torres from inside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Spain 3-0 Italy.