Spain claimed a world record three consecutive international tournament victories, thrashing Italy 4-0 in the Final of the European Championships on Sunday night. The Spanish tiki-taka brand of football was just too good for Italy, who were rendered clueless in Kiev. David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata all found the back of the net after an inspirational play from the front six of Spain. The Italians never looked like staging a comeback once they fell behind for the first time in the tournament.

Spain

Iker Casillas: 8 - The Spain shotstopper was in top form whenever tested, usually from long range. He kept Italy out, keeping a clean sheet en route to a Spain win.

Alvaro Arbeloa: 7 - The Real Madrid right-back put in a decent defensive shift and was seen helping out in attack as well.

The Spanish armada continues to reign the world of football as Spain became the first side to win three major tournaments in a row following an emphatic 4-0 triumph over Italy in the final of Euro 2012 at Kiev. Both giants came into the game unbeaten in the tournament and like the earlier 1-1 draw in the group stage, the game began as an even contest in the 1^st half. But Spain were clinical at vital moments as David Silva provided the opener 13 minutes in with a well-placed header before Jordi Alba capped off an impressive campaign with a superb finish on the back of a quick counter.

The tide turned against the Azzurri in the 2^nd half when final substitute Thiago Motta picked up an injury minutes after coming on, thus leaving the team to play with 10-men for the last half hour. Fernando Torres got the only goal at the 2008 final and he provided the coup de grace this time around as he added the 3^rd with six minutes to go before setting up Juan Mata for the 4^th minutes later. The Spaniards made further history as they became the first team to successfully defend the Henri Delaunay trophy, in the process taking their count to 3 European crowns. Meanwhile, the Italians will rue their bad luck on the big night but even the most ardent Azzurri fan will concede that they were 2nd best to the relentless Spanish team.

Italy upset favourites Germany 2-1 in the second semi-final to grab a surprise place in the final of Euro 2012 opposite defending champions Spain. It was the Azzurri’s mercurial striker Mario Balotelli who scored an excellent brace to finally grab the headlines for all the right reasons in this tournament. His first goal was a brilliantly taken header and the second was a thunderbolt from his right boot, as he helped the Italians continue their winning streak against Germany in international tournaments. Germany were the big favourites heading into the match having won all their matches in the ongoing Euros, but the Italian attack laid bare the defensive frailties of Germany, racing to a two goal lead at the break. The Germans did try to comeback in the second half, but bad luck combined with solid Italian defending ensured that it was not to be. A late consolation from the penalty spot was all they had to show for their efforts as this extremely talented German side was left to rue what might have been.

The most successful side in the European Championships Germany squared off against an Italian team they had a knack of losing to in big matches. With a place in the title showdown against defending champions Spain at stake, both teams were desperate to win. Whilst Germany were expected to continue their winning streak, the surprisingly adventurous Italians were not going to be pushed aside easily.

Defending Champions Spain have sealed a place in the finals of the European Championships after they overcame their Iberian rivals Portugal 4-2 on penalties after the semi-final tie at the Donbass Arena finished 0-0. Cesc Fabregas scored the decisive penalty to shoot a dagger through Portuguese hearts as Spain made it through to the final despite playing well below their usual level. Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho missed the first two spotkicks as the keepers reigned supreme but Bruno Alves was left to rue his miscued effort as that proved to be the difference in the end.

Paulo Bento got his tactics spot on as the Portuguese pushed high up the pitch and worked tirelessly off the ball to prevent Spain from playing their usual tiki-taka football. But the sheer lack of goalmouth action apart from a few long-range efforts from both sides made for a dull night of action despite the high intensity.