Records Tumble as Spain Trounce Italy

Krakow's adopted footballing heroes faltered at the final hurdle, being thrashed 4-0 by Spain in Sunday's European championships final. As the Azzurri fell, so did the records. Spain retained the championship title that they won in 2008 (having also won the World Cup in the interim). The result also beat the greatest ever goal difference in a European championships final (West Germany beat the USSR 3-0 in the 1972 final), and Torres became the first man to score in two consecutive finals. To be fair, the Torres contribution was the icing on the cake in a match that Spain appeared to have under control from the very start. The first goal came on 14 minutes, thanks to a header from Silva after great work by Fabregas. Before half time, the Italians had been rocked yet again, this time with a goal from Alba who latched onto the best pass you will ever see, from his team mate Xavi. Spain continued on the offensive in the second half, as Italy were pegged further and further back in their own half of the pitch. With just six minutes to play, Torres hit the back of the net, and that should have been it. But there was yet more indignity in store for Italy as the clock ticked on. At two minutes to full time, Mata popped up to score, with Torres this time the provider.