Spain, Euro 2012 Champion

Spain, Euro 2012 Champion. Spain National Team succeeded to hold their tittle as Euro champion 2012 after La Furia Roja defeated Italy in final match with score 4-0.

Playing Spain vs Italy match in Olympic Stadium, Kiev, on 1 July 2012, Spain were more dominated the game since kick off.

Based on UEFA Spain-Italy statistics Vicente del Bosque had 52% ball possession and 14 shots (9 of which were shot on goal and 4 of which were goals). Whereas Italy had 11 shots (6 of which were shot on goal).

Spain first goal was scored by David Silva in 14’ before Jordi Alba doubled the goal four minutes before the first half time ended. When in margin two goals, Italy had to lose Thiago Motta due to his injury and had to play with 10 player afterward.

And Spain used the chance, they dominated the match and scored two more goals trough Fernando Torres and Juan Mata in 84’ and 88’.

The European Championship trophy is the third one for Spain. El Matadors succeeded to get it in 1964 and 2008 before.

Spain fisrt chance to score goal came in 8’. Starting from corner kick, Sergio Ramos was heading the ball, but the ball was still far away from Buffon goal post.

Two minutes afterward Spain threatened Italy defense seriously. Cesc Fabregas and Xavi showed great combination, Xavi got the ball in outer penalty area. He shot the ball although it struck just several inches from the goal post.

Finally Spain led the game in 14’ trough David Silva goal. Receiving passing from midfield, Fabregas dribbled the ball into penalty area before passing the ball to Silva in the middle of penalty area. Silva scored goal trough his heading.

Italy did counter attack. Daniele de Rossi sent passing to Antonio Cassano. He dribble around Alvaro Arbeloa before shooting the ball although it can be saved easily by Casillas.

Spain scored goal again in 41 and this time it was Jordi Alba who scored the goal. Starting from Xavi trough pass, Jordi Alba penetrated into penalty area before he shot the ball with his left foot, Buffon could not guard his goal post well at that time. Spain led 2-0 against Italy in 41’. The score remained unchanged till the first half ended.

Italy substituted Cassano with Antonio Di Natale in the second half. Di Natale directly threatened Casillas goal post trough his heading after entering the field.

Spain asked penalty area to referee, Pedro Proenca, after seeing Ramos heading touched Leonardo Bonucci hand. But the referee did not give them penalty kick.

Casillas did a great save in 51’. Di Natale shot the ball from the left side, but Casillas could deflect the ball.

Italy had to play with 10 players after Thiago Motta got injury and could not continue to play because they had substituted their players three times so they could not substitute Thiago Motta.

Fernando Torres made Spain lead 3-0 in 84’ after receiving assist from Xavi and in 88’ was Torres turn to assist Juan Mata goal. The match ended with score 4-0 for Spain victory.

Spain line up : Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso; David Silva (Pedro 59′), Fabregas (Torres), Iniesta (Mata 86′)

Italy line up: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini (Balzaretti 21′); Marchisio, Pirlo, De Rossi; Montolivo (Motta 56′); Balotelli, Cassano (Di Natale 46′)