el sportino: Match Report: Spain 4-0 Italy

Spain created history by becoming the first nation to successfully defend its European Championship crown. The La Roja also went into the record books by becoming the first nation to score 3 or more goals in an international competition finale.

2 goals in each half were enough for Del Bosque and his men to send a clueless Italy crashing out. David Silva opened the scoring as Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres & Juan Mata all netted for the La Roja.

Del Bosque brought Fabregas back into the attack to replace Negredo as Torres was overlooked again. Prandelli too made one change to his starting 11, with Ignazio Abate recovering from his hamstring injury to replace an in-form Federico Balzeretti at right back.

Min 1-14: It took no time for Spain to settle as they started of with a series of dangerous attacks. Firstly, a Sergio Ramos free-kick from distance and then his well headed effort, both fizz passed over the Italian bar.

Then, Xavi's crashing attempt went well off target, after a brilliant one-two with Fabregas opened him.

Min 14: Goal!! Andres Iniesta superbly found an overlapping Fabregas who clipped the ball towards an unmarked Silva. The Manchester City man did no mistake as he headed the goal into an empty net.

Spain 1-0 Italy

Min 14-21: Italy looked to bouce back straight away as Pirlo's dangerous delivery from the corner was tipped away by Cassilas after his on target free kick was deflected away by the Spanish defense for a corner.

Min 21: Substitution (1), Italy - On: Federico Balzeretti Off: Giorgio Chiellini (injury)

Min 21-41: Balzeretti, after coming on looked very lively as he fed an inch prefect cross to an already waiting Mario Balotelli only to be denied by Casillas, who brilliantly prevented the cross from finding its target.

Cassilas was the savior again as he saved a 20 yard drive from Cassano.

The Azurri kept on the pressure as they surged for an equalizer.

Min 41: Second for Spain! Just as Italy were on the attack, Jordi Alba, on the counter netted Spain's second. It all started from the goal scorer as he passed on the ball to Xavi at half-line, sprinted his way through the Italian defense and collected an inch perfect through ball from the mid-fielder only to find himself one-on-one with Buffon. The Azurri captain could not prevent Alba from scoring as the latter's scintillating finish found the back of the net.

Spain 2-0 Italy

Min 41-45: Nothing much happened before half-time as both teams looked for the half-time whistle.

Half-Time Spain 2-0 Italy

Italy substituted (2) Cassano to bring in Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale.

Min 45-56: Italy looked to strike straight after the restart as Natale headed the ball just over the bar from a superb Abate cross and another chance went bagging for the Azurri.

But soon after, Spain settled into the game and started their own thread of attacks. Iniesta and Fabregas were twice denied by the Azurri defense.

Spain were unlucky not to get a penalty after a handball from Leonardo Bonucci failed to catch the eye of the referee.

Italy then could not convert a golden opportunity into a goal after a through ball found an empty Natale who struck the ball towards the goal but Cassilas just wouldn't let the ball pass by him.

Min 56: Substitution (3), Italy - On: Thiago Motta Off: Riccardo Montolivo

Min 59: Substitution (1), Spain - On: Pedro Rodriguez Off: David Silva

Min 59-75: Thiago Motta, Italy's third and final substitution found himself down with a harm-string injury. The injury forced him out of the game and the already tired Italians were to remain a man down for rest of the match.

Spain, with the men advantage and 2 goals caution, started to dominate possession. The Azurri were left to chase the ball thereafter.

Min 75: Substitution (2), Spain - On: Fernando Torres Off: Cesc Fabregas

Min 75-84: It seemed as if only one team is on the field as Italy were no where to be seen in the game. Spain, passed and passed and passed!

Pedro, then missed a good opportunity to kill off the game by remaining off-side with the goal at his mercy.

Min 84: Torressss!!! Fernando Torres with his sublime finish, became the only man to score goals in 2 finals and Xavi, who assisted him with a beautiful through ball, became the only man with 2 assists in a final.

Spain 3-0 Italy

Min 84-87: Italy had nothing to play for afterwords as they looked for the referee to blow the full-time whistle.

Min 87: Substitution (3), Spain On: Juan Mata Off: Andres Iniesta

Min 88: Goal!!! Spain became the only team in the history of international football to score 4 goals in a final. Juan Mata with the goal and his Chelsea teammate Torres with the assist. The goal however shouldn't have been given as Torres, while receiving his pass, was off-side.