Euro 2012 final: Spain beat Italy
Supporters of Spain’s national football team celebrate in central Madrid after their team defeated Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 soccer Championships.
Spain have beaten Italy 4-0 in Kiev to win the Euro 2012 soccer championship.
Associated Press says it was a "thrilling demonstration" from the Spanish side, describing Andres Iniesta and Xavi as "the architects of victory." The news agency says they played key roles in the four goals by David Silva, Jordi Alba and Fernando Torres, and Juan Mata.
This is the third time in a row that Spain have won a major tournament, which sets a new record, The Sun reports. They triumphed at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. Vicente del Bosque's side are also the first to successfully defend a European Championship title, according to AFP.
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Associated Press writes that fatigue caught up with Italy and that injuries forced the team to end the match with 10 men. It also argues that "for a squad that entered this tournament without any big expectations and was hobbled by a match-fixing scandal" Italy cannot be disappointed with its second-place finish.
"Spain are not boring. They are unstoppable," The Guardian concludes. "Spain cannot be out-passed or unpicked: the statistics suggest as much, but a glance at their fluid approach-play is more revealing. Rather, it is awe-inspiring."
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