In the final of the current European Championship, the winners of the previous cycle, the Spaniards, and the Italian national team met. At Euro 2008, these teams entered into a confrontation at the stage of the quarterfinals. Then the main and extra time ended in a draw - 0: 0, and the future winners of the tournament turned out to be stronger in the penalty shootout.
This time, the Italians made it to the final, although few believed it. At the same time, during the tournament, the team showed excellent football, left the group together with Spain, in no way conceding to her in a full-time duel. Then, in the semifinals, Squadra Azzurra beat another favorite of the tournament, the German national team, in all football counts.
Alas, to set an anti-record in the final match, losing to his opponent with a score of 0: 4. Prior to that, the biggest defeat in the European Championship final was 0: 3. With this score, the USSR national team lost to Germany in 1972. But the Italians cannot be blamed for this - they did everything they could. This Spain has become completely different than before. For all tournaments, she created teams that were considered favorites, but dropped out due to a psychological factor. As a result, they could not win anything for a long time, and they stopped believing in them. Now, when Spain has achieved the titles of world and European champion, the team has become confident, sporty insolent, not recognizing any authorities. Therefore, in the final, she gave out enchanting football.
On the 14th minute, Cesc Fabregas, having successfully played on the flank, shot the ball a little back, and David Silva, who came running, successfully sent him into the goal with his head. The Italians rushed to recoup and had a good segment, but the Spaniards clearly defended themselves, waited in the wings and waited at 41 minutes. An amazing penetrating pass found Jordi Alba at the forefront of the attack, and he, left alone with Buffon, clearly sent the ball into the goal.
The Italians are not yet lucky. Before the break, he was injured and defender Chiellini was replaced. After the break, when the coach of “Scuadra Azzurra” Cesarre Prandelli, saving the game, made two more substitutions, suddenly Tiago Mota, who had just entered the field, could not continue the game. Since the limit of substitutions was exhausted, the Italians were outnumbered and continued to fight. But it was clear that their strength was melting, and with two blows from Fernando Torres and Juan Mata Spain finished off its rival. In both cases, these were the same smashing passes behind the backs of the defenders, which no one can cope with for three big tournaments in a row.
