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Spain Wallops Italy 4-0 for 3rd Straight Crown

David Silva, Jordi Alba score first-half goals in European Championship

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 1, 2012 3:58 PM CDT

(AP) – Spain won its third straight major soccer title today, beating Italy 4-0 in the European Championship final. David Silva and Jordi Alba scored first-half goals, and Fernando Torres and Juan Mata added two more in the second half as the Spanish passing game worked its magic against the Italians at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, the Ukraine. Silva headed in a high shot in the 14th minute off a pass from Cesc Fabregas.

Alba added another in the 41st, picking up a beautiful through ball from Xavi Hernandez and shooting past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Torres posted the third goal in the 84th, becoming the first man to score in two European Championship finals. Mata scored in the 88th. Spain won the Euro 2008 title four years ago in Vienna and followed that up with the World Cup title in Johannesburg two years ago.

KIEV, UKRAINE - JULY 01: Federico Balzaretti of Italy shows his dejection during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.
KIEV, UKRAINE - JULY 01: Federico Balzaretti of Italy shows his dejection during the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine.   (Getty Images)
Spain's Jordi Alba celebrates their second goal with teammates during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final against Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Spain's Jordi Alba celebrates their second goal with teammates during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final against Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (Matthias Schrader)
Spain's David Silva scores a goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Spain's David Silva scores a goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (Jon Super)
Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts after Spain's David Silva, left, scored the opening goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts after Spain's David Silva, left, scored the opening goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (Ivan Sekretarev)
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon make a save in front of Spain's Cesc Fabregas during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon make a save in front of Spain's Cesc Fabregas during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (Matthias Schrader)
Spanish players celebrate their third goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Spanish players celebrate their third goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Spain's Fernando Torres, right, scores his side's third goal past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Spain's Fernando Torres, right, scores his side's third goal past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Spain's Fernando Torres celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Spain's Fernando Torres celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship final between Spain and Italy in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, July 1, 2012.   (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
iggy029
Jul 2, 2012 7:10 AM CDT
Spainn!!! Thanks for the Germany revenge!!!
guvner
Jul 2, 2012 12:31 AM CDT
Talk about opium for the people!
keybored
Jul 1, 2012 5:18 PM CDT
:(

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Spain • Italy • soccer • Euro 2012

 
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