Spain 4 Italy 0
Another fine performance in Kiev by a magnificent team.
After 14, David Silva headed in after Fabregas made Chiellino look slow.
After 41, lightning left back Jordi Alba made everybody in the tournament look slow when he raced onto Xavi’s slide-rule pass and slotted sweetly past Buffon.
That was the best goal of Euro 2012 because it was the most meaningful.
The score was 2-0 at half-time but it wasn’t quite over while Italy still had 11 men.
Di Natale,34, replaced Cassano for the second half and missed a golden chance 51 seconds in, mistiming his header from an Abate cross.
Another opening came quickly when Montolivo’s reverse pass found him onside but Casillas made a terrific save, advancing swiftly with immense authority.
Italy needed brighter movement, longer passes and younger legs.
Italy’s third sub, Motta, came on for Montolivo, removing a playmaker to add legs, but only for four minutes, as Motta pulled a hamstring and left Italy with 10 men.
Fernando Torres came on 74, scored the third in 83, then set up sub Mata to make it 4-0 in 88.
While 4-0 flattered Spain, it was a fine performance by the best of the 16 sides in Euro 2012.
Italy’s final was Germany on Wednesday night and after that battle, and extra-time against England, there was no way they were going to have the energy to press Spain as effectively as Portugal did.
Pirlo, 33, couldn’t cover the same distances as Moutinho and Meireles did in the semi that Spain won 4-2 on penalties.
Spain are kings of Europe again, the first team to ever retain the European Championships.
Congratulations ! Well played !
Three massive tournament finals, three clean sheets.
1-0 in 2008 and 1-0 in 2010 and 4-0 in 2012.
Every player is a legend, especially Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas.