Sensational Spain marched straight into the history books with a magnificent 4-0 UEFA EURO 2012 final victory over Italy in Kiev. First-half goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba and late efforts from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata confirmed La Roja as the first team to record three successive major tournament victories, including a World Cup, with the biggest ever win in a European Championship final.

Torres was introduced with quarter of an hour remaining and slotted a fine goal to make it 3-0 shortly after and then with five minutes remaining, Mata was given his first action of tournament. Three minutes later he completed the scoring when Torres squared the ball to him. Fernando's goal was his third in Euro 2012, making him joint top scorer and his assist means he wins the competition's golden boot.

Spain did it with the most awesome display of passing power. Yet the thing was, Italy were not disgraced and would have held out hopes of a comeback until Cesare Prandelli's final replacement Thiago Motta was stretchered off within four minutes of his arrival, leaving his team-mates to battle through the final half hour with ten men. Ultimately though, Spain's display was a fitting end to the best European Championships in almost three decades.


- Legendary legacy

As 'Ole' rang around this magnificent stadium, it was a night to glory in tiki-taka - and the players who put it into practice. After 15 minutes of the most majestic football imaginable, the greatest noise was the sound of criticism being rammed jubilantly down throats. Coach Vicente del Bosque refused to bow to the demand for a regular centre-forward to be included in his starting line-up and was rewarded with a start the quality of which was on a par with anything this group of players has ever produced.

Ramos had a couple of early efforts, so too Xavi. Andres Iniesta also had a shot blocked before Spain cut their opponents' defence to shreds. The move was astounding in its simplicity.

Alvaro Arbeloa started it, Xavi was also involved before Iniesta split the Italy defence with a pass Cesc Fabregas was able to cut-back from the by-line. And who should be there to head home? None other than little David Silva, who had got free at the near post and flicked the ball into the far.

By half-time, Spain had another. Again five passes were involved. This time it went back to front. Iker Casillas, Fabregas and then Alba, who fed Xavi and kept motoring. Xavi has played that straight through ball thousands of times in his illustrious career. The pace on it was perfect. Alba, beyond Italy's back-line, steadied himself before sliding a shot calmly past Gianluigi Buffon.

Under normal circumstances, the half-time statistics would have underlined Spain's superiority. In fact, they showed Italy had played more passes and secured 53% possession, almost unheard of against this Spain team.

With Casillas not enjoying his most secure evening, Gli Azzurri would have expected to create something meaningful. But the bounce of the ball would not go their way. Casillas got in the way of a thunderous effort from Antonio Cassano and Balotelli fired over.

- Torres beat twice

No-one could accuse Prandelli of lacking guts. Within 11 minutes of the re-start he had used all his substitutes and seen one of them Antonio di Natale bring a decent save out of Casillas after collecting Riccardo Montolivo's pass inside the area. Unfortunately for Italy, the last replacement, Motta was only on the field for four minutes before he pulled a hamstring and had to be stretchered off.

Spain therefore played the final half-hour against 10 men and took advantage when Torres was picked out by a Xavi pass on 84 minutes. The finish was first-time and low to Gianluigi Buffon's left. Another sharp move on 88 minutes sent Torres away down the left and he picked out Mata in the centre to sweep the ball home.

Their first competitive defeat to Spain - penalties excepted - since the 1920 Olympics. Spain, record breakers twice over, now unbeaten in this competition for 29 games, a run that stretches back to June 2004. History makers.


- Match stats:

Spain: Casillas; Arbeloa, Piqué, Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Alonso; Xavi, Iniesta (Mata 86’), Silva (Pedro 58’); Cesc (Torres 75’).

Italy: Buffon; Abate, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini (Balzaretti 21’); De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo (Motta 56’); Cassano (Di Natale 46’), Balotelli.

Bookings: Piqué 24’, Barzagli 44’.

Goals:

1-0 (14’) Silva.
2-0 (41’) Jordi Alba.
3-0 (84’) Torres.
4-0 (88’) Mata.