Spain produced their best performance of Euro 2012 to hammer Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final.
Although Los Rojas were favourites for the tournament they still had to go out there and prove they were the best and they did it in devastating fashion.
Best
The first half was arguably the best I have ever seen a team produce when it comes to passing, attractive football.
The Spaniards were simply magnificent, passing the ball to one another like the Italians wasn’t even on the pitch.
The two first half goals summed up the way that the Spanish like to play the game, with short incisive passes and well taken finishes. This Spanish team is definitely the best international team I have seen in my lifetime and I’m doubtful that any other national can better this team.
Record
Spain managed the feat of winning three consecutive international tournaments and in the process also notched the biggest ever victory in a major international final. This Spain team could go on smashing records for years to come at international tournaments and will be very difficult to stop.
Boring?
I couldn’t believe my ears recently when people were saying that the Spanish style of football was getting boring and they wasn’t scoring enough goals. I criticised Del Bosque’s team in yesterdays article for not hitting top form but I would never call them boring.
Whoever thinks that the Spanish style of football is boring is very misinformed. Last night’s victory was as far from boring as you could get. It was a football display of the highest order and Italy simply couldn’t cope with the movement and passing of their opponents.
I’m sure the Spanish team had heard some of the comments about their style of play and were determined to prove their doubters wrong. They certainly did that.
Striker-less
I have stated my dislike for the striker-less formation that Spain has played at times during the tournament but last night it worked to the maximum. The key reason for it working last night was because Cesc Fabregas was at times playing like an auxiliary centre-forward and Spain were getting players to support him.
In previous games Spain hadn’t quite got the striker-less formation right, despite the fact that they won they didn’t give Fabregas the support he required to make the formation work to its maximum potential. It all clicked into place against Italy and I’m sure other non-Spanish teams will now attempt it.
Scotland once tried to play the formation away to Czech Republic but I don’t think they pulled it off as well as the Spanish. They just didn’t have the same quality of player Spain has, but who has?
Italy
I have to say that Italy deserves immense credit for making it to the final and playing some good football along the way. This Italy team holds lots of promise and I’m sure they will be a threat to the big teams at future international tournaments.
However, they were simply outclassed by a Spanish team who were at the top of their game. Luck was also not their side. First they lost full-back Giorgio Chiellini early on and then at two goals down lost substitute Thiago Motta, having already made all three substitutions.
Down to ten men at two goals down they battled on admirably but it was always going to be difficult to stop this rampant Spanish side adding to the score line, and they did late on. You have to give Italy credit though they showed their class in defeat.
Golden
Just when Italy thought it couldn’t get any worse Spain actually brought a striker on! Chelsea’s Fernando Torres has endured a frustrating couple of years, failing to find top form for both club and country.
However, he came on in the final to score and create a goal for Chelsea teammate Juan Mata. That was enough to win him the golden boot. He was level with Germany’s Mario Gomez on three goals and one assist, but had played fewer minutes on the pitch.
It was good to see a smile back on Torres’ face. The striker started to hit form towards the end of last season for Chelsea and hopefully he can get back to being one of worlds best strikers.
Deserved
There is very little doubt about it Spain are currently the best international team in world football and deserved their victory last night. The manner of their victory showed just how far in front of everybody else Spain are in terms of passing and technique.
Last night’s stunning performance proved that Spain could dominate the international scene for along time and it couldn’t happen to a more humble bunch of players. Well done Spain and I hope your success continues because you definitely deserve it.
Is this Spanish team now the best international team ever?
