Euro 2012 final photos
- Published
Spain 4-0 Italy: Fans congregate outside the stadium in Kiev ahead of the Euro 2012 final. The two sides meet again after facing each other in the group stages of the competition when they drew 1-1
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli (right), who won the Premier League last season, has the chance to add another medal to his trophy cabinet. His two goals against Germany helped Italy into the final
Spain make one change to the team that got past Portugal, with former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas coming in for Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla. Once again, Vicente del Bosque opts not to play with a striker
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli also makes one change to the side that beat Germany with Ignacio Abate coming in for Federico Balzaretti
It does not take long for Spain to monopolise possession and they break the deadlock early on. Andres Iniesta's through ball finds Cesc Fabregas, whose cross into the box is headed home by Manchester City's David Silva
Balzaretti does not have to sit on the bench for too long though, as centre-back Giorgio Chiellini comes off injured to be replaced by the Palermo man
Having controlled the match, Spain double their lead through new Barcelona signing Jordi Alba, who makes a run from his position at left-back, is found by a measured pass by Fabregas before tucking home the second of the game
Italy cannot create any chances and are restricted to long-range shooting when they do get hold of the ball
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who won the Champions League and FA Cup, comes off the bench to tuck home the third of the match. He becomes the first player to score in two European Championship finals
Another Chelsea player, Juan Mata, comes off the bench to score Spain's fourth after team-mate Torres's lay-off. The 4-0 score line is the biggest ever in a final of the European Championships
The Spanish team go down in history as the first ever to win three major tournaments in a row
For Italy, they can not make win their second European Championship title, having won the competition in 1968
Having lifted the La Liga title with Real Madrid, Spain captain Iker Casillas holds aloft the Henry Delaunay trophy