Soccer | European Championships | Boxscore - Italy v Spain

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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Full Time

Spain

Italy

D. Silva 14'	1-0
J. Alba 41'	2-0
F. Torres 84'	3-0
J. Mata 88'	4-0

HT: 2-0

Olimpiysky Stadium (Attendance: 60,000)

Referee: Pedro Proenca

Preview | Stats | Match Report

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Spain vs. Italy
Minute	Commentary

90'	SPAIN ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE The first team ever to win three consecutive major titles. The first team to retain a European Championship title. The first team to win a major tournament final by four goals. This is a remarkable Spanish team. They have now gone throughout the knockout stages of two Euros and a World Cup without conceding a single goal, and they silenced any critics of their style on the biggest stage with a blistering performance this evening. Italy have taken their defeat with dignity, congratulating their opponents and picking up the medals that nobody really wants, and it's all come down to this: Iker Casillas lifts the European Championship trophy! It's been a fantastic tournament and a real privilege to watch Spain's triumphant performance tonight. That's all from us here; we hope you've enjoyed the last three weeks as much as we have.
90'	SPAIN 4 - 0 ITALY Spain produced one of the great performances as they beat Italy 4-0 in the final of the European Championship in Kiev. Accused of being boring in the build-up to the final, a Croatian goal away from going out in the group stage and forced to penalties by Portugal, the real Spain turned up in the match that mattered and tore Italy to pieces. Faced with a fired-up Italy in the first half, they produced two moments of the highest quality to go in 2-0 up at half-time thanks to goals by David Silva and Jordi Alba. Italy did their best to get back into it after the break and looked likely for quarter of an hour, but the injury to substitute Thiago Motta reduced Italy to ten men and that effectively ended the game as a contest, with Spain in complete control for the last half hour. Fernando Torres came on to score and set up a fourth for Juan Mata (sealing the golden boot for the Chelsea striker) and in the end it was an absolute master-class by quite possibly the best national team in the history of football.
90'	FULL-TIME The final whistle goes as Spain cement their place in the record books with an astonishing 4-0 win in Kiev.
90'	SHOWBOATING FROM RAMOS Xavi's free-kick picks out Fernando Torres at the back post, and the forward does well to bring it under control, cut inside and cross. Sergio Ramos goes for a quite ridiculous back-heeled finish which very nearly beats Gianluigi Buffon at his near post. That would have been remarkable, and it's likely to be the last meaningful action of the tournament.
88'	MORE ON THAT GOAL! Again it was a perfect run by Torres, but this time the angle was slightly tighter so he unselfishly flicked the ball inside for Juan Mata to pass into an empty net. That's four, and it's a fitting reflection of just how good Spain have been tonight. Excellent in the first half, they always looked in control after going two up, and after Italy were unfortunately reduced to ten men by that injury to the substitute it has been almost cruel to watch at times. It could yet get worse...
87'	GOOOAAALLL!!! This is turning into a rout, and it's Juan Mata who grabs it just moments after coming onto the field for the first time in the tournament. 4-0!
86'	TORTURE FOR THE AZZURRI Down to ten men after that injury to Thiago Motta, Italy are out on their feet and unable to get hold of the ball as Spain use their trademark passing game to toy with their opponents.
84'	MORE ON THAT GOAL! Spain are making history in Kiev, becoming the first team to win back-to-back European titles and the first to win three consecutive major tournaments. Not just that, but Fernando Torres has just scored made it two goals in two Euro finals, sliding the ball past Gianluigi Buffon after perfectly timing his run to get in behind the defence. It's 3-0 and that's well and truly game over.
83'	GOOOAAALLL!!! Fernando Torres scores the third goal to end any lingering hopes of an Italian revival and secure an historic win for Spain.
82'	ARBELOA CAUGHT OFFSIDE Alvaro Arbeloa starts his run too early to bring an end to another promising Spanish move.
78'	PEDRO HANGS HIS HEAD Italy throw numbers forward as they desperately search for a goal that would at least give them a chance, but Spain hit them on the break as Pedro surges clear down the right. He bizarrely opts not to cross for Torres but pull back to a Spanish player outside of the box, and on the follow-up he is completely unmarked in the area as he slides his shot wide of the post. He had drifted outside so it wouldn't have counted, but that was a waste.
74'	SPAIN MAKE A CHANGE Vicente Del Bosque has been heavily criticised, maybe a touch too much, for his selections during the tournament, but picking Cesc Fabregas as a false nine tonight has proved absolutely spot on. The Barcelona man is withdrawn, replaced by Fernando Torres.
72'	JUST LIKE WATCHING ENGLAND... Italy are being outclassed on and off the ball, and they are being forced to hit it long in search of Antonio Di Natale whenever they get hold of possession. It's not unlike the Italy v England quarter-final, but Cesare Prandelli's side are on the receiving end on this occasion.
71'	CAUGHT OFFSIDE It's almost his speciality to get caught offside, so it's not a shock to see Antonio Di Natale's run onto a long ball halted by the linesman's flag.
70'	ENERGY-SAPPING STUFF They're dead on their feet, and Italy are struggling to even get out of their own half, yet alone work it into Antonio Di Natale.
66'	ITALY NEED A MIRACLE It will take something quite remarkable if Italy are to get back into this game, and the one team you don't want to be facing in this situation is Spain. Del Bosque's side are stroking the ball around and pressing Italy back whenever the demoralised Azzurri do manage to get hold of possession.
63'	NOTHING REALLY IN IT Leonardo Bonucci goes down in the box claiming an elbow to the face, but there's nothing in it really and the referee rubs it in by giving the decision the other way for a push.
60'	HUGE PROBLEM FOR ITALY Italy have made their three changes, but Thiago Motta pulls up with a hamstring problem just minutes after coming on. You can't blame the manager really, he had to change things up, but Italy are down to ten men in their hunt for two goals and it's hard to see how there's a way back for them now.
58'	SPAIN MAKE A CHANGE David Silva is slightly unhappy to be replaced, but it makes sense as the slightly more direct Pedro comes on to hit Italy on the break.
57'	OVER THE BAR! A free-kick is clawed away by Iker Casillas, and as Italy work the ball back to the edge of the box, Mario Balotelli goes for goal - sending his effort some way over the bar.
56'	ITALIAN CHANGE Cesare Prandelli makes his third and final chance, bringing on Thiago Motta for Riccardo Montolivo in the centre of the park. That should freshen things up for Italy in there, and they are looking the better side at the moment. A goal in the next ten minutes would be perfect for the Azzurri and equally perfect for the final.
54'	DI NATALE LOOKING LIVELY Andrea Pirlo's clipped ball over the top is fractionally too strong for Antonio Di Natale to latch on to, but it was the right idea. The prolific Udinese striker is causing Spain all sorts of problems, and the decision to bring him on seems like a fantastic one.
53'	CONTROL LETS HIM DOWN Cesc Fabregas is on the stretch and just fails to bring the ball under control. He would have been clean through on goal had his touch been better, and it was far too easy for Spain to find him in that position.
52'	WIDE OPEN The game is getting extremely stretched, which is great to watch. If Italy score next then we're in for a barnstorming conclusion, but there's acres of space for Spain on the counter-attack and you feel that they could seal it with a third at any moment.
50'	WHAT A CHANCE! Italy have come flying out of the blocks in this second half, and Antonio Di Natale goes close to pulling them back into the game. Picked out in the area, his drive is parried by Iker Casillas, but his follow-up flicked cross from a prone position on the floor can't pick out a team-mate at the back post.
48'	NO PENALTY! The ball bounces up and clearly strikes Leonardo Bonucci on the arm in the box, but the referee waves play-on. The Spanish are furious about that, and you have to say that they've got a point.
47'	CESC DOES A MESSI IMPRESSION He's playing in the Messi position tonight, and Cesc Fabregas' weaving run inside the area is something that the Argentine would have been proud of. Italy just manage to deal with it, but it was a scrambled defensive effort to say the least.
46'	JUST OVER THE BAR! Antonio Di Natale very nearly scores with his first touch! A cross into the Spain box is expertly met by the substitute ahead of Gerard Pique and it squeaks just over the bar.
46'	SECOND HALF Italy get the second half underway and have made a change, replacing the exhausted Antonio Cassano with Antonio Di Natale.
45'	ITALY NEED A MIRACLE Lest we forget, Spain have not conceded a single goal in knockout games at a major tournament since 2006 - that's a run of ten and a half matches against top quality opposition. Italy have threatened in patches, but for the Azzurri to score twice without conceding in this second half is a massive ask.
45'	SPAIN 2 - 0 ITALY In 45 minutes of football Spain have banished memories of their slightly dull route to the final. La Roja have ripped Italy to pieces, controlling possession with consummate ease and working their midfield runners into wonderful positions in the final third. David Silva's opener was good, but the lengthy build-up and final move for Jordi Alba's second summed up everything that's good about this Spanish side. It may be a little early to suggest that the centre-forward is now redundant in football, but Spain's decision to play without one tonight has been well and truly vindicated - they have been magical at times.
45'	HALF-TIME The whistle goes to end a stunning first half display by Spain.
44'	YELLOW CARD Andrea Barzagli scythes down Cesc Fabregas and picks up a booking for his trouble. Italy are all over the place and know they need a bit of a miracle in Kiev.
43'	PALM-STINGER FOR CASILLAS Mario Balotelli does well to hold the ball up and work it into Riccardo Montolivo, but Iker Casillas has little problem palming away the well-struck effort.
41'	MORE ON THAT GOAL! There seemed little on as Spain meandered forward, but Jordi Alba had other ideas - making a lung-bursting run forward from left-back to give Xavi an option. The Barca maestro took his time, waited for the pass to be on and then slid a perfect ball through for his new club team-mate, who finished past Gianluigi Buffon with aplomb. 2-0!
40'	GOOOAAAALLL!!! Jordi Alba scores a fantastic second goal and Spain have one hand on their third straight major title!
39'	MEXICAN WAVE GETS A RUN-OUT You know the fans are getting restless when the Mexican Wave comes out. It's not the best effort, but as Spain flick the ball around harmlessly in the centre of the park you can't really blame the supporters.
37'	OVER THE BAR! Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano link up nicely in the Spanish half, but they are a long way from goal and it's a little optimistic when Super Mario decides to go for goal - sending his shot well over the bar.
35'	ITALIA! ITALIA! The travelling Italian support do their best to rouse the boys in blue, but it's not looking great for the underdogs here. Spain have the early goal they wanted, and from here they can try and strangle the game, keep the ball away from Italy and expose space in behind as their opponents push forward in search of an equaliser.
31'	TESTING STRIKE BY CASSANO The Azzurri work the ball from left to right, and Antonio Cassano decides to bring an end to the display of passing in front of the Spanish defence and fires in a shot that Iker Casillas can only palm away. Ignazio Abate picks up the loose ball, but Spain are back in numbers and force Italy right back into their own half.
29'	STRANGE OPTION FROM PIRLO Italy are awarded a free-kick some way out for a foul on Daniele De Rossi, but Andrea Pirlo opts to go for goal from the unlikely distance and fails to hit the target.
28'	SHOT THROUGH THE LEGS Italy break and Antonio Cassano works himself some space on the left of the area. Twisting and turning, he manages to get a shot away through two pairs of legs, but Iker Casillas keeps his eyes on the ball and makes a reasonably comfortable save.
26'	CASILLAS SAVES SPAIN A deflected cross looks destined for the head of Mario Balotelli just yards out, but Iker Casillas manages to get a fingertip to the ball and take it away from the Italian number nine. The keeper gets a little lucky as the ball rebounds off a defender and away from the blue shirts in the box, but he earned his luck there.
24'	YELLOW CARD Gerard Pique is adjudged to have gone in dangerously on Antonio Cassano and picks up a booking. The Spanish bench are furious!
23'	OMINOUS FOR ITALY Cesare Prandelli will be concerned about what's he's seeing out there. Italy are looking shaky at the back and are struggling to keep the ball, while Spain are looking dangerously dominant for such an early stage in the game.
21'	ITALIAN SUBSTITUTION The injured Giorgio Chiellini is carried off the field and replaced by Federico Balzaretti, who was pretty unlucky not to start tonight.
19'	BRILLIANT TACKLE BY PIRLO Italy are in disarray as the injured Giorgio Chiellini gives the ball away, and only a perfectly-timed sliding tackle in the box by Andrea Pirlo denies Spain a shooting opportunity.
18'	POSITIVE RESPONSE BY ITALY Italy have been excellent since the goal, seeing most of the ball and pushing Spain right back onto the edge of their own area. You don't see that very often from the Spanish!
16'	CASILLAS DOES JUST ENOUGH Andrea Pirlo's corner is into the perfect area, and Iker Casillas just manages to get fingers to it and see the ball away from danger.
15'	PIRLO HAS A POP Mario Balotelli wins a free-kick in shooting distance, and after a fake run that fooled nobody it was Andrea Pirlo's turn to strike - with the wall standing firm and deflecting the shot behind for a corner.
14'	MORE ON THAT GOAL! It was classic football from the Spanish, expertly finished by David Silva. Alvaro Arbeloa's perfectly weighted pass into the area from the right picked out the run of Cesc Fabregas, and the Barcelona man did brilliantly to hold off Giorgio Chiellini and cut a cross back onto the head of David Silva. He's hardly the tallest man on the pitch, but it was a great header and left Gianluigi Buffon with no chance.
13'	GOOOAAALLL!!! David Silva puts Spain 1-0 up in the final, and Italy have a mountain to climb now!
12'	ITALY CHASING SHADOWS Spain are in the mood and playing at a tempo that they've rarely managed during the tournament. Italy are struggling to cope, and after that early promise have started to look like other opponents faced with this Spanish machine.
9'	OVER THE BAR! Xavi finds himself in space on the edge of the area after another endless Spanish passing move, and Gianluigi Buffon is mightily relieved to see the midfielder's fizzing shot fly inches over the bar.
8'	TIKI-TAKA IN FULL FLOW Andrea Pirlo has played more passes at the tournament than any other Italian (maybe unsurprisingly)... yet Spain have five players who have made more than the Italian veteran - including centre-back Sergio Ramos! A spell of keep-ball for a full two minutes in the centre of the park explains how they've managed to rack up quite so many passes.
6'	DANGER DOWN THE LEFT Jordi Alba has been one of the stars of the tournament for Spain, getting forward to great effect down that left side. His displays have been enough to earn him a move to Barcelona in the last week, and he almost unlocks the Italian defence here - only for Giorgio Chiellini to put the ball behind with David Silva waiting at the back stick.
5'	HEFTY CHALLENGE BY DE ROSSI Daniele De Rossi goes in hard on Xavi and is penalised by the referee. The free-kick is from some distance, but Sergio Ramos still goes for goal... inevitably sending it over the bar.
3'	LIVELY START It's been a good opening couple of minutes, with Italy causing Spain problems as they did in the group game - giving as good as they get in the possession stakes!
2'	PIRLO SLICES WIDE The ball falls to Andrea Pirlo on the edge of the area as Italy see plenty of the ball early on, but his shot is rushed and slices harmlessly wide.
0'	KICK-OFF Spain get the final of Euro 2012 underway as the crowd count down for the final time in the tournament.
0'	THE ANTHEMS Both anthems have been sung (or at least hummed in the case of the lyric-less Spanish march) and we're all set for kick-off.
0'	HERE COME THE TEAMS The crowd in Kiev have been ‘entertained' by a typically colourful and bizarre closing ceremony in the last 15 minutes, but the players are now ready in the tunnel and the wait is almost over. There are some nervous faces in the 22! Here they come…
0'	POLAND AND UKRAINE HAVE DONE EUROPE PROUD Euro 2012 has been a big success both on and off the field. The years building up to the tournament have seen lots of debate about how well Poland and Ukraine would deal with handling such a major tournament, but it seems to have gone as well as could be expected. Let's hope they get the showpiece final that the tournament deserves.
0'	TEAM NEWS There's one chance apiece for the teams, with Ignazio Abate coming in for Balzaretti at right-back for Italy and Cesc Fabregas picked as the false nine for Spain. We now know how Spain are going to play, but for Italy there is still some doubt. It's possible that they could use a back three with this group of players – we'll have to wait and see.
0'	THE GROUND The impressive 65,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Kiev hosts the final of Euro 2012. It's a fitting venue for such a huge match and will keep in the noise with its new extended roof.
0'	MAN IN THE MIDDLE Portugal's Pedro Proenca is the man given the honour and responsibility of taking charge of tonight's game. Promoted to Uefa's elite list in 2009, he was the referee of this season's Champions League final and has become the first ever official to be appointed for the final of both Europe's club and country competitions in the same season. Two years ago Howard Webb received plaudits and criticism in a pretty much equal mix for his handling of the Spain v Holland game – let's hope that Proenca steers clear of controversy and this match is settled by a moment of magic not a refereeing error.
0'	IT'S DEFENCE… BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT! Are Spain really boring? It seems unfair to say that a team as technically gifted and hugely successful as Spain are dull to watch, but there is some truth in it. Narrow and a little defensive in selection, their tiki-taka style seems to have morphed into a way not to concede rather than a way to score. Even Arsene Wenger – a man who has never been a fan of the direct style – has waded into the debate today, accusing Spain of negativity. There are reasons for Spain retreating into their shell. The injury and lack of form in their attacking ranks, the huge pressure to win as favourites, the expectation of the fans and media at home; they have all influenced Vicente del Bosque's selections. However, a few stats prove just how successful their method of defence is. Casillas has conceded just once in this tournament (against Italy in the 1-1 draw), has faced just one shot on target in the knockout stages, and has not conceded a goal in any knockout game at a major tournament since Zinedine Zindane's strike that knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup! That last one says it all… Italy have it all to do if they are to score tonight.
0'	TALKING TACTICS – SPAIN This Spanish team are doing something we've never seen before. The talk ahead of the tournament was which of the Fernandos would lead the line for Spain – Torres or Llorente – but Vicente del Bosque surprised all by using a striker-less formation with Cesc Fabregas as a false nine. You can hardly blame the Spanish manager, he does have the best selection of central midfielders ever seen in one national squad, but it has impacted on Spain's attacking play – no matter how much the manager and players may suggest otherwise. With Torres and Pedro out of form, Llorente tired after a long season and David Villa missing through injury, there are reasons for not using a more attacking shape, but the feeling is that Del Bosque's selection is a negative one, with tiki-taka possession almost holding more weight than scoring goals. Nine places in the starting line-up for the final are virtually guaranteed, but there are decisions to be made. Will Fabregas or Torres get the nod up top? Will Jesus Navas or Pedro be preferred to David Silva in the inside right position to give the team something different? We'll find out shortly.
0'	HOW THEY GOT HERE – SPAIN Spain are imperious, the best team in the world. For that reason, the pressure on them to win this tournament is absolutely huge, and goes a long way to explaining the slightly risk-free approach that has attracted criticism for being dull. Yet to really hit their straps at Euro 2012, Spain still go into the final with an unbeaten record that stretches back 19 competitive games to their opening match of the 2010 World Cup. After the 1-1 draw with Italy, Vicente del Bosque's side thrashed Ireland and snuck past Croatia to top Group C. Faced with a tricky run to the final against a wounded France and an in-form Portugal, Spain dominated their quarter-final and won on penalties in the semi-final, allowing just one shot on target against them in 210 minutes of football! They may not have been free-scoring, but Spain go into the final as favourites… and rightly so.
0'	THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF ANTONIO CASSANO It has been the joke line used by pundits throughout the tournament, but it may well be true that out of Italy's front-two, Mario Balotelli is the sane one! Antonio Cassano is one of the most colourful characters in football, mixing an astonishing natural ability with a short fuse on the pitch and a remarkably controversial personal life off it. A renowned Lothario with a penchant for the finer things in life, Cassano's playboy lifestyle has toned down significantly since becoming a husband and a father in the last few years. On the field, Cassano announced himself as one of the most talented players of his generation during a five-year spell at Roma, but failed to find his feet at Real Madrid after a move in 2006 and took some while to get back to the top level. Signed permanently by AC Milan in 2011 after impressing on loan at Sampdoria, Cassano has found himself competing with some quality forwards for game-time, but has been a big factor in Milan's recent improvement. Despite his ability, Cassano has seen very little action for the national side, and it is only now at the tail-end of his career that he has found a place in the starting line-up. One of the unsung heroes of Italy's impressive run to the final, the remarkable fact is that only eight months ago Cassano was in hospital after suffering a stroke. Few expected him to return to the top level of the sport, yet alone inside the same season, but he was back playing for AC Milan by April and started for Italy against Spain in the opening game of Euro 2012. Hardly surprisingly, he struggles to finish 90 minutes, but it would be a wonderful story were Cassano to provide the winning moment this evening.
0'	SUCCESS IN THE SHADOW OF CONTROVERSY Italian football has had its fair share of controversies off the field, but the national team has developed a tendency of performing admirably under the shadow of scandals. Most recently, in 2006 Italian domestic football was ripped open by the Calciopoli scandal that saw punishments dished out to a number of leading clubs, with Juventus relegated a division and stripped of their 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles. 2012's scandal is not even in the same league as Calciopoli, but Italy once again went into this tournament with trouble looming in their domestic game, and it is credit to the players that they have been able to perform so admirably to restore some faith in Italian football.
0'	CESARE CLAUDIO PRANDELLI If Italy win Euro 2012 then one man should take the biggest share of the plaudits – manager Cesare Prandelli. Leaving his post as Fiorentina manager to take over as national coach after Italy's shocking performance at the 2010 World Cup, Prandelli was faced with an ageing team, a highly critical national press and a young generation lacking the flair and talent of their predecessors. Sound familiar? In two years, despite almost constant criticism from the media, Prandelli has not only built a quality side, but one that plays beautiful football. Italian teams of the past have had a reputation for defensive excellence and the ability to nick the odd goal, but this team are nothing of the sort… in fact you could say that they play Spanish football better than Spain! Off the pitch, Prandelli has also had an impact by using a strict selection policy that has seen both Daniele De Rossi and Mario Balotelli left out of squads during qualifying as a result of incidents in their domestic leagues (that stamp on the head of Scott Parker seeing Balotelli dropped). Mixing youth and experience, discipline and team spirit, talent and form, this team is fulfilling its potential, and Prandelli is the man responsible.
0'	STRIKERS – ITALY Going into the tournament there were doubts over who would lead the line for Italy. A front-two was expected, with Antonio Cassano favourite to play in the slightly deeper role, but the position of front-man was still up for grabs for either the physical style of Mario Balotelli or the more clinical Antonio Di Natale. The Udinese veteran's finish against Spain and selection in the starting line-up against Ireland seemed to suggest that he had the edge going into the knockout stages, but ‘Super' Mario's displays against England and Germany mean that it will be a major shock if Prandelli doesn't pick the shy and retiring Manchester City striker to start tonight's game.
0'	TALKING TACTICS – ITALY Few teams have been as tactically interesting as Italy at Euro 2012. Excellent throughout qualifying using a back four, midfield diamond and front two, Cesare Prandelli threw in a bit of a curve-ball in his tournament warm-up games by using the back three that has been so in-vogue in Serie A over the last year. Starting with that formation against Spain, Italy excelled, getting their wing-backs well forward and ensuring that Daniele De Rossi saw plenty of the ball in the sweeper position – aiding the deep-lying Andrea Pirlo. Italy used the same formation against Croatia, but found the midfield harder to control against a more traditional team shape, and so reverted to their midfield diamond for the matches against Ireland, England and Germany. So impressive has been the level of performance in the knockout stages that Prandelli has a big decision to make… 4-4-2 or 3-5-2? On the evidence of that group stage game against Spain, you'd imagine that he'd opt for the latter, but Italy did beat Spain 2-1 in a friendly back in August of last summer when using a midfield diamond, so the manager has options.
0'	HOW THEY GOT HERE- ITALY The 1-1 draw with the defending World and European champions was an encouraging start to the tournament for Italy, but another draw in their second match against an excellent Croatian side left them sweating on the results in the final round of games. A 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland was sealed by a stunning Mario Balotelli strike, and Italy snuck through as Croatia just failed to nick a goal late on against the Spanish as a high quality Group C (Ireland excepted) came to its conclusion. To say Italy beat England on penalties in the quarter-finals doesn't do their performance justice in that game, and Cesare Prandelli's side followed it up with the shock 2-1 win over the Germans in the semi-final. Unbeaten in 15 competitive games under Prandelli, Italy are not just in form but have built momentum throughout the tournament, and Spain will be worried.
0'	MEETING IN GROUP STAGE These teams started their Euro 2012 campaign against each other, playing out one of the most entertaining games of the group stage with their 1-1 draw in Gdansk. In a fascinating tactical battle, both teams flooded midfield, and the result was a game high in quality but low in scoring opportunities. Italy held their own for long periods of the game, and only when they tired late on did Spain take control of possession in their usual manner – giving the possession statistics from that game a slightly unfair slant towards the Spanish. Mario Balotelli put himself about to good effect in that game, but was slightly disappointing in-front of goal, with Antonio Di Natale coming on to replace him and almost immediately opening the scoring. Cesc Fabregas equalised just moments before being replaced by Fernando Torres, and the Chelsea man featured heavily in the final half hour, getting in behind the Italian defence time and again but failing to find the winner. If this game is on a par with that one then we'll be in for a fascinating final.
0'	HISTORY BECKONS Spain are one game away from making history in the sport. No team has ever won back-to-back European Championships, and Spain know that not only can they break that record but they can also become the first team to win three consecutive major tournaments. This Spanish generation's place in the annals of football history is already secure, but a win this evening would ensure that they go down as arguably the greatest ever national side.
0'	PREVIEW Spain versus Italy in the European Championship final… it doesn't get much better than this! The Olympic Stadium in Kiev is the spectacular setting for the conclusion of this wonderful tournament, and it's fitting that two of the best footballing teams throughout the competition have reached the final. Can Spain become the first nation to ever retain the European crown, or will Italy overturn the odds and claim their first European title in almost 50 years? We're just hours away from finding out!
0'	EURO 2012 FINAL Three weeks of quality football have all come down to this... It's the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy! Stay tuned for build-up, team news and live text commentary.

CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart

Lineups

Spain
(4-3-3)
Iker Casillas	1
Álvaro Arbeloa	17
Gerard Piqué	3
Sergio Ramos	15
Jordi Alba	18
Xavi	8
Sergio Busquets	16
Xabi Alonso	14
David Silva	21
Cesc Fàbregas	10
Andrés Iniesta	6
Substitutes
Pepe Reina	23
Víctor Valdés	12
Raúl Albiol	2
Jesús Navas	22
Santi Cazorla	20
Juanfran	5
Javi Martínez	4
Juan Mata	13
Fernando Torres	9
Pedro	7
Fernando Llorente	19
Álvaro Negredo	11

Manager
Vicente Del Bosque

Manager
Cesare Prandelli

CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart

Team Stats

Spain		Italy
4	Goals	0
4	Assists	0
14	Shots	11
9	Shots on Goal	6
6	Saves	5
0	Penalties Scored	0
0	Penalty Kicks	0
27	Crosses	15
3	Corner Kicks	3
3	Offsides	3
17	Fouls Committed	10
1	Cautions/Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
51%	Ball Possession	49%

Spain
No.	Player	MinP	G	YC	RC	GA	Svs
1	Iker Casillas	90	-	0	0	0	4
3	Gerard Piqué	90	0	1	0	-	-
6	Andrés Iniesta	87	0	0	0	-	-
8	Xavi	90	0	0	0	-	-
10	Cesc Fàbregas	75	0	0	0	-	-
14	Xabi Alonso	90	0	0	0	-	-
15	Sergio Ramos	90	0	0	0	-	-
16	Sergio Busquets	90	0	0	0	-	-
17	Álvaro Arbeloa	90	0	0	0	-	-
18	Jordi Alba	90	1	0	0	-	-
21	David Silva	59	1	0	0	-	-
Substitutes
7	Pedro	31	0	0	0	-	-
9	Fernando Torres	15	1	0	0	-	-
13	Juan Mata	3	1	0	0	-	-

Italy
No.	Player	MinP	G	YC	RC	GA	Svs
1	Gianluigi Buffon	90	-	0	0	4	2
3	Giorgio Chiellini	21	0	0	0	-	-
7	Ignazio Abate	90	0	0	0	-	-
8	Claudio Marchisio	90	0	0	0	-	-
9	Mario Balotelli	90	0	0	0	-	-
10	Antonio Cassano	45	0	0	0	-	-
15	Andrea Barzagli	90	0	1	0	-	-
16	Daniele De Rossi	90	0	0	0	-	-
18	Riccardo Montolivo	57	0	0	0	-	-
19	Leonardo Bonucci	90	0	0	0	-	-
21	Andrea Pirlo	90	0	0	0	-	-
Substitutes
5	Thiago Motta	33	0	0	0	-	-
6	Federico Balzaretti	69	0	0	0	-	-
11	Antonio Di Natale	45	0	0	0	-	-

CommentaryLineupsStatisticsEventsShotchart

Spain vs. Italy
Minute	Event

90'	Game Over Spain 4-0 Italy
90'	Half Over Spain 4-0 Italy
90'	Foul Pirlo fouled by Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
90'	Shot on Goal Sergio Ramos (Spain)
90'	Cross Fernando Torres (Spain)
90'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
90'	Foul Arbeloa fouled by Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
90'	Foul Balzaretti fouled by Fernando Torres (Spain)
90'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
90'	Cross Pedro (Spain)
88'	Goal Juan Mata (Spain). Assist by Torres
88'	Shot on Goal Juan Mata (Spain)
88'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
88'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
87'	Offside Mario Balotelli (Italy)
87'	Substitution Juan Mata (on). Iniesta (off). (Spain)
86'	Foul Abate fouled by Fernando Torres (Spain)
85'	Cross Antonio Di Natale (Italy)
84'	Goal Fernando Torres (Spain)
84'	Shot on Goal Fernando Torres (Spain)
84'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
83'	Offside Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
82'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
81'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
81'	Shot Pedro (Spain)
81'	Corner Kick Xavi (Spain)
80'	Cross Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
80'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
79'	Offside Pedro (Spain)
79'	Cross Jordi Alba (Spain)
78'	Foul Pirlo fouled by Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
78'	Foul De Rossi fouled by Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
78'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
77'	Corner Kick Xavi (Spain)
76'	Cross Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
76'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
75'	Substitution Fernando Torres (on). Fàbregas (off). (Spain)
75'	Cross Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
74'	Cross Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
72'	Foul Balotelli fouled by Xabi Alonso (Spain)
72'	Offside Antonio Di Natale (Italy)
71'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
71'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
69'	Cross Pedro (Spain)
69'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
69'	Cross Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
67'	Foul Balotelli fouled by Pedro (Spain)
67'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
67'	Cross Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
66'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
65'	Foul Mario Balotelli (Italy)
65'	Cross Pedro (Spain)
64'	Foul Busquets fouled by Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
64'	Cross Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
64'	Free Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
63'	Foul Balotelli fouled by Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
60'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
60'	Foul Pirlo fouled by Xavi (Spain)
59'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
59'	Substitution Pedro (on). Silva (off). (Spain)
58'	Shot Mario Balotelli (Italy)
58'	Cross Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
58'	Free Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
57'	Foul Di Natale fouled by Sergio Ramos (Spain)
57'	Cross Claudio Marchisio (Italy)
57'	Substitution Thiago Motta (on). Montolivo (off). (Italy)
56'	Cross Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
55'	Offside Antonio Di Natale (Italy)
54'	Cross Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
53'	Foul Xavi fouled by Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
53'	Cross Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
53'	Free Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
52'	Foul Pirlo fouled by Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
52'	Throw-In Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
51'	Shot on Goal Antonio Di Natale (Italy)
51'	Cross Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
51'	Throw-In Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
50'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
49'	Foul Arbeloa fouled by Mario Balotelli (Italy)
49'	Shot on Goal Sergio Ramos (Spain)
49'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
49'	Free Kick Xavi (Spain)
48'	Foul Arbeloa fouled by Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
47'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
47'	Shot Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
47'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
46'	Shot Antonio Di Natale (Italy)
46'	Cross Ignazio Abate (Italy)
46'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
46'	Cross Ignazio Abate (Italy)
46'	Throw-In Mario Balotelli (Italy)
46'	Start Half
46'	Substitution Antonio Di Natale (on). Cassano (off). (Italy)
45'	Half Over Spain 2-0 Italy
45'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
45'	Shot on Goal David Silva (Spain)
45'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
45'	Free Kick Xavi (Spain)
45'	Yellow Card Andrea Barzagli (Italy)
44'	Foul Iniesta fouled by Andrea Barzagli (Italy)
44'	Shot on Goal Riccardo Montolivo (Italy)
43'	Cross Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
43'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
41'	Goal Jordi Alba (Spain)
41'	Shot on Goal Jordi Alba (Spain)
41'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
39'	Foul Silva fouled by Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
39'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
38'	Shot Mario Balotelli (Italy)
38'	Cross Jordi Alba (Spain)
38'	Throw-In Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
37'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
37'	Cross Claudio Marchisio (Italy)
36'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
35'	Offside David Silva (Spain)
35'	Cross Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
33'	Foul De Rossi fouled by David Silva (Spain)
33'	Shot on Goal Antonio Cassano (Italy)
32'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
30'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
30'	Shot Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
30'	Free Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
29'	Foul De Rossi fouled by David Silva (Spain)
29'	Shot on Goal Antonio Cassano (Italy)
28'	Throw-In Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
27'	Cross Federico Balzaretti (Italy)
26'	Foul Ramos fouled by Mario Balotelli (Italy)
25'	Yellow Card Gerard Piqué (Spain)
25'	Foul Cassano fouled by Gerard Piqué (Spain)
24'	Cross Ignazio Abate (Italy)
23'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
22'	Cross Claudio Marchisio (Italy)
22'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
22'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
21'	Throw-In Jordi Alba (Spain)
21'	Substitution Federico Balzaretti (on). Chiellini (off). (Italy)
20'	Cross Xabi Alonso (Spain)
20'	Cross Xabi Alonso (Spain)
19'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
19'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
19'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
18'	Corner Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
18'	Shot on Goal Andrea Barzagli (Italy)
18'	Corner Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
17'	Cross Ignazio Abate (Italy)
17'	Throw-In Ignazio Abate (Italy)
17'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
16'	Corner Kick Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
16'	Shot on Goal Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
15'	Foul Balotelli fouled by Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
14'	Goal David Silva (Spain). Assist by Fàbregas
14'	Shot on Goal David Silva (Spain)
14'	Cross Cesc Fàbregas (Spain)
13'	Cross Xavi (Spain)
11'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
10'	Shot Xavi (Spain)
10'	Shot on Goal Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
10'	Shot on Goal Xavi (Spain)
8'	Cross Jordi Alba (Spain)
8'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
7'	Shot Sergio Ramos (Spain)
7'	Corner Kick Xavi (Spain)
7'	Cross Jordi Alba (Spain)
6'	Goal Kick Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
6'	Shot Sergio Ramos (Spain)
6'	Free Kick Sergio Ramos (Spain)
5'	Foul Xavi fouled by Daniele De Rossi (Italy)
5'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
5'	Throw-In Álvaro Arbeloa (Spain)
5'	Cross Antonio Cassano (Italy)
4'	Throw-In Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
4'	Throw-In Xabi Alonso (Spain)
2'	Foul Abate fouled by Xabi Alonso (Spain)
2'	Goal Kick Iker Casillas (Spain)
2'	Shot Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
2'	Throw-In Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
2'	Throw-In Giorgio Chiellini (Italy)
1'	Foul Balotelli fouled by Sergio Ramos (Spain)
1'	Start Half

CommentaryLineupsStatistics Events Shotchart

Players
No.	Number
MinP	Minutes Played
G	Goals
Ast	Assists
SHTS	Shots
SOG	Shots on Goal
CK	Corner Kicks
CR	Crosses
Off	Offsides
FC	Fouls Committed
FS	Fouls Suffered
YC	Yellow Cards
RC	Red Cards
GA	Goals Against
Svs	Saves

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