Spain has swept to a 4-0 triumph over Italy in the final of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament on Monday morning (AEST), clinching an historic treble of major titles.
The emphatic win answered some critics who felt that the Spanish team was on the decline after a number of years of dominance, not to mention the comments made about coach Vicente del Bosque's tactical plan of playing with no established striker and Cesc Fabregas playing as a so-called "false nine".
Before the final no team had ever won three international tournaments in a row, but Spain - the defending European champions who won the World Cup in South Africa two years ago - were irresistable in the final in Kiev.
First half goals to David Silva and Jordi Alba had given Italy a mountain to climb, but Cesare Prandelli's men tried their hardest in the second 45 minutes.
Spanish shot-stopper Iker Casillas was ecstatic after the match.
"This is such a truly wonderful moment. The second goal from Jordi (Alba) clinched it really," he told Telecinco television.
"It's been four marvellous years. You might think that a 4-0 margin against Italy means it was easy - but we have been gradually stepping up as the tournament went along."
It could have all been different if Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale had taken a couple of chances after coming on at half-time.
In particular, Di Natale had a golden chance on 50 minutes, but his shot was well parried by Casillas.
Unfortunately for Italy, the hero of the semi-final against Germany, Mario Balotelli, had an off night and was unable to add to his goal tally.
Italy could not take a trick, with Thiago Motta - the Azzurri's third and final substitute - stretchered from the field four minutes after his arrival with a hamstring injury, to leave his team to play the final half-hour with 10 men.
With six minutes left, Chelsea striker Fernando Torres secured his own piece of history, grabbing Spain's third to become the first player to score in two European Championship finals.
Torres then turned provider, clipping the ball inside for substitute Juan Mata, who tapped in for the fourth of the night.
Silva had opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a beautifully crafted goal, putting the Italian team under increasing pressure to open up and play more attacking football.
The Azzurri managed to gain an unlikely 53 per cent of possession in the first half, but they still struggled to generate meaningful chances, and when they did they were shut down by a Spanish defence that conceded only one goal for the tournament.
Then in the 41st minute, Spain emphasised their class, with a length of the field move that ended with left-back Jordi Alba running on to the ball with pace and slotting it coolly into the net.
Casillas said the criticism of his team during the tournament had been expected.
"There will always be some criticism as we have set the bar so high that that's what happens when you come down a pip," he said.
"We have been able to get the best out of our players and make full use of our characteristics. And they (the Italians) were tired.
"Now we will go off and savour the win together," said Casillas, who has not conceded a goal in the knockout stages of any of the three titles the Spanish have won.
The win gave Spain its third European title, bringing them level with West Germany, which won three titles between 1972 and 1980. The unified German team won a fourth title in 1996.
Spain 4 (Silva 14, Jordi Alba 41, Torres 84, Mata 88)
Italy 0
ABC /AFP
Tags: sport, soccer, ukraine First posted July 02, 2012 05:40:56