Spain 4-0 Italy: Spain's dominance confirmed with rout of Italy

STV

There was no two without three for rampant Spain, who added a fourth goal to their tally before picking up their third consecutive major international trophy.

Italy were eventually tossed aside by a Xavi-inspired Spain, who answered all but the most hardy of their critics with goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata.

Spain add their second consecutive European Championship to the World Cup title and make history as the first side to win three tournaments in a row.

The Azzurri exceeded the expectations of many in the tournament and also managed to get their own foot on the ball for spells of the first half, but a cruel injury that reduced them to ten men in the second half all but sealed their fate as they chased a two goal deficit.

Spain returned to their 4-6-0 formation after the experiment of playing Alvaro Negredo as the lone striker led to them drawing a blank against Portugal. Cesc Fabregas took the false nine position while the rest of Vicente Del Bosque’s side picked itself.

Cesare Prandelli had just one major decision to make after his team excelled in the semi-finals. Fit again Ignazio Abate was reinstated at the expense of Federico Balzaretti.

Much had been made of teams failing to stop Italy’s Andrea Pirlo in this tournament, but with an embarrassment of riches in their own midfield, Spain quickly found their a rhythm to suit them, holding possession to remove the Juventus man from the equation.

Xavi was the fulcrum of the Spain midfield, dictating play and feeding Andres Iniesta and David Silva in the wide positions. Xavi helped Jordi Alba to overlap on the left flank and cross for Silva, who was denied by a Chiellini intervention after just seven minutes.

The Barcelona midfielder came closest to opening the scoring himself after ten minutes, a one-touch interchange with Fabregas allowing him a shot from 20 yards which just looped over Gianluigi Buffon’s crossbar.

Spain’s quick start to the match ensured they would take the lead on 14 minutes. A disguised pass found Fabregas attacking the inside right channel of the box. His cross cut back high into the path of Silva who launched a head at it, spinning beyond Buffon.

Italy finally started to see some of the ball, and forced a succession of corners. Pirlo’s delivery caused some concern for La Roja but Iker Casillas got a touch to each one to carry it to safety as Balzaretti and Balotelli lurked waiting for scraps.

Spain’s famed pressing game to recover the ball was being focused on Pirlo, who dropped deep to remove his red-clad minders from the centre of the pitch. It allowed Daniele De Rossi more space than usual to put his mark on the game, and he spread the play between the advancing full backs.

The width of the Azzurri suited the wandering movement of attacker Antonio Cassano who registered his first shot at Casillas, through a slew of bodies, after 29 minutes. Just four minutes later a fizzing drive from Cassano was beaten clear by the goalkeeper, Italy’s chances reflecting their dominance in possession and territory.

They would regret not making more of their opportunities as Xavi again seized the moment. Receiving the ball just to the left of the centre circle he glided forward while Alba dashed past him. A perfectly weighted pass found the full back who emphatically finished low past Buffon.

With Chiellini withdrawn in the first half through injury, Prandelli made his second change at half time, withdrawing Cassano for Di Natale, who scored the opening gaol of Italy’s group game against Spain.

Di Natale immediately had a chance on goal, but his 46th minute header was too high and floated over. The Udinese marksman the fluffed his lines with Italy’s best chance on 51 minutes, played through one-on-one with Casillas he shot straight at the Real Madrid captain and the chance was lost.

After replacing Montolivo after 56 minutes, final substitute Thiago Motta made Italy’s hopes utterly redundant after just five minutes, as he unfortunately pulled a hamstring and had to be taken off again.

The game slowed down to walking pace as Spain teased Italy and the Azzurri tried to limit the damage. The introductions of attackers Fernando Torres and Juan Mata would ensure that Spain win would be deservedly emphatic.

First Torres took a inch-perfect through ball behind the defend to roll home a goal with a classic finish across Buffon after 84 minutes.

Then, with two minutes remaining, the striker again sprung the offside trap, simply rolling the ball sideways to his Chelsea team-mate Mata to complete the scoring.

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MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

David Silva heads Spain into the lead

Jordi Alba doubles Spain's lead

Fernando Torres slots in Spain's third

Juan Mata puts the icing on the cake for Spain

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