Viva Espana (Again)

Spain line-up: Casillas (c), Ramos, Pique, Alba, Arbeloa, Xavi, Silva (Pedro, 59'), Alonso, Fabregas (Torres, 75'), Iniesta (Mata, 86'), Busquets
Italy line-up: Buffon (c), Chiellini (Balzaretti, 21'), Barzagli, Abate, Bonucci, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo (Motta, 57), De Rossi, Cassano (Di Natale, 45'), Balotelli 

Spain once again create history as not only do they become the first European side in history to win three major tournaments on the bounce, they also set the record for the highest winning scoreline in a European Championships. Italy's togetherness ultimately couldn't cope with Spain's overwhelming strategy and it didn't help when substitute Thiago Motta was stretchered off just after the hour mark, with Italy already having made all three substitutions.

Spain began the night quashing the thoughts that they are just a passing nation and they play boring football by developing a shoot on site policy. Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva all had early shots from outside the box that were blocked by the stern Italian defence.

The game had a different look about it compared to the 1-1 draw in the opening game of the group stage. Spain were more attacking and Italy didn't look to have as much of a goal threat despite having the tools required.

Italy's defensive resistance was broken after just 14-minutes when Spain's orchestrator, Iniesta, slipped a ball into Cesc Fabregas down the side of the box. Fabregas then lofted a ball across the goal for David Silva to head into the unguarded net.

Italy's attacking threat always came from set pieces. Their whipped corners and floated free-kicks were all dangerous but Iker Casillas was able to get fingertips to all of them, preventing the strikers from getting a head to it and equalising.

Giorgio Chiellini's final got even worse when he picked up an injury after 21-minutes and had to be replaced by the more attacking Federico Balzaretti. The change did actually seem more positive as Balzaretti provided some really teasing crosses that Casillas was again equal to.

Towards the end of the half, the dominance in possession meant that Italy needed to get into the dressing room only one goal adrift. This would have enable them to regroup and regain their attacking intent. But this wasn't to be as Spain found a way in behind the defence courtesy of another magnificent ball from Iniesta. He played his new teammate, Jordi Alba, through on goal and the new Barcelona signing slotted past Gianluigi Buffon four minutes before the half-time whistle.

Italy made a positive change at half-time, bringing Antonio Di Natale on for Antonio Cassano. But neither he nor the instrumental Mario Balotelli could ever really get in the game. That's not to say Italy didn't create chances to get themselves back in the contest.

Di Natale did get a chance right at the start of the half, but his header went over the bar. The Udinese had an even better chance just six minutes into the half when Riccardo Montolivo played him in in the box, but his shot was fired straight at Casillas who managed to smuggle to second attempt away.

Italy's third and final change saw Motta come on for Montolivo on 57-minutes. But Motta's final only lasted five minutes when he pulled his hamstring. He had to be stretchered off and go straight down the tunnel, leaving Italy with only ten men for the duration of the second half.

From there, Spain began to, once again, control the game and it almost became a question of when Spain wanted to score their third goal. It came six minutes from the end when substitute Fernando Torres gave himself the Golden Boot, despite levelling with Mario Mandzukic, Mario Gomez, Mario Balotelli and Alan Dzagoev. Once again, Spain cut Italy open with Torres now through on goal and the Chelsea striker, with Roman Abramovich in attendance, slotted coolly into the corner.

Juan Mata got his first run out of Euro 2012 and within two minutes, he marked the occasion with Spain's record breaking fourth. This time Torres became provider, the Golden Boot clincher, he was once again played in on goal, this time he slipped the ball across to his Chelsea teammate to just roll it into the net.

Italy weren't embarrassed by any means, but they ultimately went one step too far despite easily putting their 2010 World Cup shame behind them. It was fitting that the previous two World Cup winners should contest this year's final and the question remains, who can topple Spain?