A Spain squad that skims perfection. Accurate and timely in the dribble that encircles the opponent. Penetrating and merciless in the lunge, with four different players that go to goal, on a night that marks a historic hat-trick for the World Champions, already winners of the Europeans in 2008.
“It’s a historic moment for our football and I am happy for these great players,” said Spanish coach Vincent del Bosque at the end of the game, congratulating his team, which never failed during the 90 minute match.
An tired Italy was in trouble from the start of the match. “The only regret is that we had a few days to recover strength,” said Italian coach after the game, searching for a justification for a memorable drubbing. The semi-final on Thursday against Germany had taken a lot of energy to the Italian team. Three days off were not enough to find their best form.
The injury of the newly-entered Thiago Motta at 62nd minute in fact marked the end of the game, even when the score was still just 2 – 0. Prandelli had already used up all his changes when the player from Paris St. Germain suffered a pulled muscle. Italy remained outnumbered and Spain easily spread out with its fast game.
Spain played a masterful game in every corner of the field. They did not allow any room in defense, to an opponent who was forced to pull from outside the area, with the impeccable, on-time Casillas there to block the door. Accurate in ball possession in midfield, they then broke through centrally with breathtaking verticalizations. They did not look for the game on the bands, but went right to the center of Italy. Xavi was the assist man of the evening, slicing through the Italian defense: he started the action of the first goal of Silva and calibrated two invitations for the second and third goals, by Alba and Torres.
Italy struggled in front. Balotelli was never seen and he was submitted by an impressive Sergio Ramos, while Cassano left the field after an inglorious first time, with only two powerful shots from afar. The Italian team developed the game well on the wings with Balzaretti, which replaced injuried Chiellini at the 21st, but was never dangerous in attacking. Meanwhile the pianist Pirlo wasn’t able to play his good music.
It was the same coach of Furia Roja, Del Bosque, indicating “a moment of superiority of Italy after the first goal.” After Silva’s goal at 14th for the Italian team he in fact, raised his head, but never interrupted the harmonious play of the Spaniards who were not subsiding, and that led to a great play in the 41st by Alba. The Barcelona player put the ball to the right of Buffon, after an exquisitely drawn move, and ended with a rapidity that left in suspense all the spectators.
“Maybe we could revive the game early in the second time,” said Prandelli.
Italy entered the field in the second half seemingly convinced of that, and the newly entered Di Natale proves to be immediately dangerous at the 46th when he shoots just over the crossbar. Then again at the 51st when, with a quick twist near the small area, Di Natale eventually finds once again an impassable Casillas blocking the road.
But dreams of recovery are definitely off at the 62nd when Thiago Motta’s hamstring prevents him from continuing the game. Italians in ten crumble. The spaces then suddenly become wider and the dribble of the world champion becomes a ticking sound that marks the minutes of the final fall of the Italian national team. The result is unchanged up to the 84th when Torres, entered to replace a wonderful Fabregas, assists on another goal, this time by Mata, past Buffon.
Only four minutes after Mata’s goal marks the final 4 – 0. A result which leaves no room for doubt. The Furia Roja have dominated the game and rise to heaven the third trophy in five years that will remain in history as a golden age for Spanish football.
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