No team had ever won a European Championship final by a four-goal margin but Spain put Italy to the sword in Kiev with a performance for the ages.
Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba had Spain in firm control at the break as they answered those critics who had questioned their style with a fluent and brilliant display.
The loss of Thiago Motta to injury when Italy had made three substitutions effectively killed the game as a contest but still Spain pushed on.
Fernando Torres arrived as a substitute to score and then quickly teed up Juan Mata for a fourth as Spain stamped their authority in the final minutes.
Spain finish Euro 2012 as undoubtedly the finest team at the tournament and quite possibly the greatest of all time.
