Vicente Del Bosque played a bluff in yesterday’s press conference saying he would go with three strikers from the start but that wasn’t the case as Spain went with their tried and tested starting XI with Fabregas playing the role of an attacking threat on paper.

Italy made only one change to their starting XI from previous game. Abate came in for Balzaretti in defence.

Spain were in attacking mode early on as a neat interplay around the edge of the box between Cesc Fabregas and Xavi Hernandez gave latter the opportunity to take a shot. Luckily for Italy, it was inches over the bar and the alarm bells were starting to ring.

Four minutes later, David Silva put Spain ahead with a wonderfully controlled header after Cesc Fabregas ran down the line and fed the on-rushing Manchester City player. Andres Iniesta provided the diagonal ball for Fabregas to edge past the Italian defence. Spain 1-0 after just 14 minutes. This was the earliest goal in the European Championship final since Hrubresch for West Germany in 1980. (Stat source)

Around the 20th minute mark, Italian defence was put in a state of bother as neat passes by Spanish midfield broke the Italian hold at the back. Andre Pirlo, however, was on hand to make the crucial clearance to give the Azzuri some breathing space.

At this point, Chiellini had picked up a knock on his knee and looked in discomfort. This wasn’t the kind of start Prandelli wanted for his men. Chiellini eventually made way for Balzaretti.

Italy’s two efforts later came courtesy Balotelli and Pirlo but both shots were from distance and comfortable for Iker to punch away.

Spain extended their lead in the 41st minute after Xavi played a ball in the path of Jordi Alba whose first touch was exemplary to get past the Italian defence and tuck his left footed shot neatly into the back of the net. First goal for Alba in the Spain shirt and what a stage to get it!

Spain could have gone further up but for Barzagli getting booked for taking down Iniesta and taking one for the team. If Iniesta had gone on, he could have gone on to score and put the game beyond any doubt before the referee could blow the half time whistle! But, as it turned out, Spain led 2-0 at half time.

Antonio Di Natale came on for Cassano at half time to give attacking edge to the Italians in the second half and hope for a comeback. It almost worked out with Di Natale’s header just over the crossbar after Abate provided a cross from the right.

In the 48th minute, Spain had a huge shout for penalty turned down after a Ramos header struck Bonucci’s hand. A blatant handball not given by the referee.

3 minutes later, Di Natale could have pulled one back but to be denied by Iker Casillas. Montolivo with a delightful pass after the Spanish defence had slept off for a minute.

In the 54th minute, Cesc could have added a third but his touch alluded him after being played through by Iniesta and staying onside.

Italy’s night turned even worse when substitute Thiago Motta went down clutching his hamstring and had to be stretchered off. This reduced Italy to ten men and vie for a comeback over Spain who were passing the ball around with ease by this time.

With seven minutes to go, substitute Fernando Torres added a third to make it beyond Italy without a doubt. He was on run to score with the slightest bit of touch from his right foot after Xavi set him through.

Italian misery was complete after Juan Mata scored the fourth for Spain after coming on barely sixty seconds earlier. Fernando Torres with a smart pass to his Chelsea team mate in the centre of the box who made no mistake despite desperate lunge by Italian defence to stop it from going on.

That is how it stayed till the final whistle when Spain were crowned Euro 2012 champions. Thereby proving their critics wrong and getting past their tag of ‘boring’. Nothing boring about them tonight and nothing boring about how they get their results. Much respect to Iker Casillas who lifted the trophy and won his 100th game for Spain tonight, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos for wearing shirts in rememberance of Jarque, Puerta, Manolo and Miki and Puerta respectively (all Spanish players who’ve passed away). A very classy gesture by both the players.

It brings to an end a month of glorious football and the wait for Football seasons to restart begins….

SPAIN XI: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta

ITALY XI: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Montolivo; Cassano, Balotelli

Goals:  David Silva (14′) , Jordi Alba (41′) , Fernando Torres (84′) , Juan Mata (88′)

SPORTS UN MAN OF THE MATCH: Xavi Hernandez