Spain’s dominance of European football continued with a magnificent 4-0 victory over a hapless Italy in the final of Euro 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
Winners of the European Championship in 2008, and World Cup champions in 2010, Spain become the first country to retain the European Championship and marked their place in history with a blistering performance on Sunday night.
Spain attacked from the start and went ahead after 14 minutes with a David Silva header and doubled the lead four minutes before half-time when left back Jordi Alba galloped past a frozen Italian defence onto a precise Xavi pass before planting a confident shot beyond Gianluigi Buffon.
Italy's slim hopes of a comeback disappeared when third substitute Thiago Motta pulled a hamstring, leaving his side down to 10 men for the final half-hour. Fernando Torres became the first player to score in two Euro finals when he made it 3-0 six minutes from time and fellow substitute Juan Mata added the fourth.
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