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Spain still champions

Italy beaten 4-0

Milano, 02 July 2012

The World Champions overcame the Azzurri who were down to ten men from

the 61st minute due to Motta's injury. The midfielder was the third and last

substitute, coming on five minutes earlier for Montolivo. Silva and Jordi Alba

scored in the first-half: Torres and Mata finished it off after the break.

The dream has vanished for Italy. Italy have lost, and four-nil at that, in the Euro

2012 final against Spain in Kiev. The goals came from Silva and Jordi Alba in the

first-half, and Fernando Torres and Mata at the end. The Invincible Red Army arenow legends: this is their third success in a row after the 2008 Euros and the 2010

World Cup.

ITALY, WHAT A SHAME! The fairytale became a nightmare for the Azzurri. The

best team won, as usually happens in sport, but Italy also messed up. The

organisation of their opponents was definitely important, as was the tiredness of

the Azzurri after their previous exploits in the tournament. However there will be

regrets at not having seen the best of the team that had excited everybody. Their

main regret on the field will be Di Natale's miss at the start of the second-half

when they were 2-0 down. Spain played much better and dominated for long

periods. Italy couldn't manage to get back into the game and were further

constrained by going down to ten men for the last half-hour, when Thiago Motta

went off injured. It was Italy's second injury after that of Chiellini earlier on. Their

luck wasn't in, and despite the disappointing finish, what Prandelli has achieved

since the disastrous World Cup in South Africa must not be forgotten. This Italian

team still deserves applause for its expressive and complex play.

Jordi Alba's joy after the goal. Reuters

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ALL, TOO MUCH SPAIN The Spanish started out playing possession football and

drawing "Ole's" from their numerous supporters in Ukraine. They were much

more authoritative than they had been in Gdansk, having learnt their lesson in the

opening match that finished 1-1. They now know this Italian team and didn't give

them the time to play their game. The Azzurri were restricted to playing a holding

game which isn't their way of playing any more since Prandelli has been in the

dugout. And it showed. Xavi gave a sign of things to come when he just missed a

chance to score. Then Spain scored in the 59th minute. Fabregas was amazing

when confronted by the centre-forwards and he pushed-up to support the attack.

He went down the right, beating Chiellini and crossing from deep onto the head

of Silva. The unmarked forward put the ball into the net to make it 1-0 to Spain

and Italy were behind for the first time in the whole tournament.

PRIDE AND MIX-UPS Italy responded immediately. Out of the blue they raised

the tempo and created a couple of chances in the opposition area but their play

was stuttering. The team that had had Spain on the ropes three weeks ago

couldn't reproduce the magical play that had beaten Germany and dominated

England. Chiellini was injured and replaced by Balzaretti who had a positive

impact on the game. Cassano wasn't very mobile and wanted the ball to be

played into his feet, instead of making runs. He did manage a couple of shots on

goal but they didn't trouble Casillas.

Sergio Ramos towers over Mario Balotelli. Reuters

SPANISH DOUBLE Spain were not only solid but also gave the impression that

they were in control of the game. They passed the ball along the ground creating

amazing moves, and doubled their lead in the 41st minute through Jordi Alba who

combined with Xavi before going through on goal. The Spanish left-back avoided

the offside, sprinted towards goal and beat the onrushing Buffon to make it two-

nil at the break. Spain were both beautiful and aggressive in the first-half.

PRANDELLI CHANGES Off went Cassano to be replaced by Di Natale. The

Udinese striker immediately had a dangerous header but couldn't hit the target,

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following a good cross by Abate. Then Bonucci was lucky not to give away a

penalty hand balling in the area.

OPPORTUNITYMontolivo created a chance for Di Natale, putting him one-on-

one with Casillas but the Spanish goal-keeper outwitted him, which wascalamitous for Italy. However, their chances of getting back into the game were

diminished by other events.

UNFORTUNATE SUBSTITUTION Prandelli sent on Thiago Motta for Montolivo,

who had seemed to be growing into the game. But Motta immediately sustained

a muscle injury and Italy had to play with ten men. They were undone by having

used up their substitutes so early in the game and it was all over, despite the fact

that there were still thirty minutes to go.

SPAIN CRUISE Spain pushed on and got a third goal through the substitute

Torres, then Mata sealed it with a fourth. Italy didn't manage to avoid an ugly

scoreline, which was a shame considering their overall showing in Poland and

Ukraine. The Spanish were clinical and ruthless, like all great teams, and they are

now confirmed as Champions of Europe with an impressive show of force.

From our correspondent Riccardo Pratesi RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA