Classy Spain retain European Championship crown

Spain have created international football history with a 4-0 victory over Italy in the Euro 2012 final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Goals from David Silva, Jordi Alba, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata have helped Vicente Del Bosque's side become the first team to win three consecutive major tournaments.

The defending champions started brightly and had their first attempt at goal after only five minutes when Sergio Ramos blasted a free kick over the crossbar.

If that effort was wayward, the defender came much closer minutes later when he headed narrowly over from a corner.

Spain continued to dominate the opening stages and nearly took the lead through Xavi Hernandez, but the midfielder fired high after a neat passing move around the penalty area.

They were eventually rewarded for their pressure in the 13th minute as Silva got across his marker to head in Cesc Fabregas's clever cross.

Despite going behind, Italy began to force the issue as Antonio Cassano had two shots saved by Iker Casillas.

The first was a tame drive through a defender's legs, but his second had to be pushed away down low by the Spanish captain.

However, Spain doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Alba calmly slotted in after collecting Xavi's incisive pass.

The Azzurri nearly found the net in the first minute of the second half as substitute Antonio Di Natale should have done better when he headed over Ignazio Abate's floated cross.

At the other end Fabregas dragged his shot wide before Di Natale's powerful drive forced a low save from Casillas.

The ball fell to the striker for the rebound but he could only poke a weak shot at the keeper.

The Italians, who had made all three substitutions, had to play the final 30 minutes of the match with 10 men after Thiago Motta was forced off with an injury.

As they pushed forward, Spain exploited the spaces and extended their lead with seven minutes to play as substitute Torres became the first player to score in two European Championship finals when he rolled the ball past Gianluigi Buffon from Xavi's pass.

The goal also saw the striker end the tournament with the prestigious Golden Boot Award for his three strikes and assist for substitute Mata, who tapped in the fourth with two minutes to play.