Spain Defends Euro Title, Italy Completely Crushed

Spain 4-0 Italy

Italian Confidence

Coming into the finals, the Italians were on a high. They defeated Germany, a team much fancied to take the title, in convincing fashion in the semis. 

In their opening match of the European Championships, the two finalists faced each other in a match that ended in a draw. The Azzurri had high hopes for themselves and the Spanish team knew that they were in for a fight.

Spanish Setbacks

Before the event started, the Spaniards were dealt blow after blow. It became known that David Villa and Carles Puyol, two of the stars who helped them win their World Cup title, will be unable to play due to injuries. The draw in their opening fixture must not have helped their morale either.

Nearly a month later, these two teams found themselves facing each other in Kiev. While there is no real hostility that can be felt in this clash, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly electric.

Boring Football?

The Spanish team have had a reputation for playing boring football, passing and passing back and forth until they eventually make an attempt or lose the ball. Oftentimes, this has translated into moments of brilliance as evidenced by their numerous titles. However, many fans complain that this is boring football. I say, if it works, then it must be brilliant football. 

The Azzurri meanwhile have a reputation for playing defensive football. The Italian league is a place where defenders are more frequently hailed men of the match as opposed to the strikers. Games often end in goal-less draws or 1-0 scorelines. Looking at it this way, it might seem that we will be in for a boring match.

Early Goal

This was most definitely not the case. The Azzurri have evolved over the years and have left their passive nature on the bench. The aggression in their game was unmatched even by Germany who have a very aggressive style. The Spanish team upped the ante as well. While still making their impeccable passes all over the pitch, the tempo was much faster. They also knew that they needed to score and score fast. It would be a disaster to let it come to penalties. A game this important must be won through brilliant  goals not by lucky penalties.

Silva opens up the scoring

To score goals was the objective and the Spanish did just that. They opened up the scoring in the 14th minute with a perfectly placed cross by Cesc Fabregas straight into David Silva's head and right into the back of the net. It showed just how well these players know each other and how they are able to play as one big breathing monster.

Despondent Italian

Injury trouble

Chellini goes out

Italy was soon plagued by an injury and Chellini had to be taken out before the end of the first half. Later in the game, Italy would make their other two substitutions in an effort to catch up. Unfortunately, within 3 mins of coming in, Thiago Motta was sidelined by a hamstring injury. Italy are reduced to ten men for the remainder of the game and this happened still with 30 mins left in regulation time. The Italians needed a miracle especially since Jordi ALba buried them deeper before the half to make it 2-0.

Thiago Motta leaves Italy with 10 men

Spanish Parade

After Thiago went off, it was the Spanish Parade. Italy could hardly touch the ball. Cesc Fabregas went off and Fernando Torres came in. Torres is the man who scored the winning goal in their last European Chmpionship but has since been plagued by controversy due to his move to Chelsea and his alleged inability to score as much as he was worth. However, this was going to be a tournament of redemption for the Spanish. It started with Sergio Ramos' beautiful penalty in the semis to bury the nightmare of the UCL semi-final against Bayern Munich. 

Torres Scores

Torres also went off to seek his redemption and he did just that by scoring in the 84th minute to drive the nail deep in the Italians' hearts.

Devastated Balotellli

The Azzurri were just waiting out the suffering but Spain would not let up. They took another goal in the 88th minute courtesy of Juan Mata to complete the Italian thrashing. Spain is the first team to successfully defend their European Championship title. They are also the current holders of the World Cup. No doubt they are looking at defending that title in Brazil by 2014.