Spain have continued their complete and utter domination of world and European football after claiming the Euro 2012 trophy with a 4-0 win against Italy.
Vicente Del Bosque's side are now unbeaten in 12 European Championship finals matches. Meanwhile, they have not conceded a single goal in the knockout stages of a tournament since 2006.
For Italy, their impressive European Championship campaign has come to an abrupt end after suffering their first loss against Spain in a major tournament.
Fernando Torres's late cameo for Spain also handed him the Golden Boot due to minutes played and assists – with Germany's Mario Gomez missing out in the final moments.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action between the two sides.
Spain statistics:
Shots 14
On target 9
Possession 51%
Corners 3
Fouls 17
Italy statistics:
Shots 11
On target 6
Possession 49%
Corners 3
Fouls 9
Was the result fair?
A comprehensive yes. The Italians started the match with so much purpose and promise – in a performance which mirrored their semi-final win against Germany. However, Spain were always comfortable once they took a 2-0 lead. Italy did show signs of improvement early in the second half, but they fell away in the latter stages, as Spain added a third and fourth. It was a real masterclass in possession football from the Spaniards.
Spain's performance
Just wonderful. Del Bosque's side have been criticised as being 'boring' this summer. If a third consecutive major tournament is boring – then bore me away. The way they pass the ball and their movement is unchallenged in world football - and in Xavi and Andres Iniesta - they have the two best central midfielders in world football. However, it is quite ironic that a team that doesn't play with a number nine boasted the top goalscorer in the tournament, a certain striker called Torres.
Italy's performance
Italy battled well throughout the opening half, but they began to chase shadows after David Silva handed Spain the lead early in the opening half. Andrea Pirlo just could not get into the match for large spells, while Mario Balotelli was kept quiet by a stern Spanish defence. Italy have had a wonderful European tournament – and provided their country with some much-needed football joy.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Andres Iniesta: We really are running out of superlatives for the Barcelona midfielder. He lived in the shadow of Xavi for quite some time – but not anymore. He is just a fabulous playmaker in every sense of the word. Movement, invention, understanding and awareness of space – he has it all.
Referee performance
Pedro Proenca had an extremely solid match. The Portuguese was completing a European double this evening after taking charge of the 2012 Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He might have awarded Spain a penalty when Leonardo Bonucci handled in the second period – but we will let him off that one.
Biggest gaffe of the match
Step forward Antonio Di Natale. The Italian striker came on at the interval, and had an immediate chance to get Italy on the scoresheet at 2-0. However, he was denied by Iker Casillas from close range when he perhaps should have scored. Whether or not it would have affected the final score is debatable, but now we will never know.
What next?
Spain: Spain head to the 2014 World Cup with three back-to-back tournament successes to their name. However, the heat of Brazil will present a different challenge entirely.
Italy: Italy must now focus on their qualification campaign for the World Cup. Meanwhile, they face England in a friendly encounter a few days before the start of the Premier League season.
Matt Law
