Euro 2012: Spain's Winning Moments [PHOTOS]

Football lovers around the world must have expected a close fight between defending world champions Spain and four-times world champions Italy at the Euro 2012 title match following their 1-1 draw in their earlier league matche but Sunday was certainly Spain's day, as they thrushed their opponents 4-0, which is the biggest victory margin in a World Cup or Euro final.

Italy's defeat came after their convincing win (2-1) against the strong side Germany in the semi final.

[SPAIN'S WINNING MOMENTS PHOTOS]

Italy started off the game impressively but Spain's ball possession strategy and swift one-touch passes did the trick. Two goals in the first half by David Silva and Jordi Alba gave a big blow to Italian side.

Adding more salt to the wound, the Italians had to play with ten men in the second half after Thiago Motta left the field following a hamstring injury. Italy had already made three substitutions before Motta left the field limping.

Spain sealed the match when Fernando Torres, who substituted Cesc Fabregas, scored another goal in the 84th minute. Torres also helped Juan Mata score the fourth goal in the 88^th minute by passing a perfect ball though he was in the position to send the ball into the net himself.

Spain entered history on Sunday by winning three major tournaments in a row - Euro 2008 success, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. It has equaled Germany's record of three European titles.

"It was a great match for our players, they controlled the game," Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque told reporters.

"But there is not one football, the important thing is to score goals. We have strikers but we decided to play with players who went better with our style," he added.

One should not forget that Italy came to the tournament amidst huge crisis following match-fixing scandal. They turned sort of a dark horse after facing three straight defeats in friendlies. Expectations were low before they eventually qualified for the quarterfinals and entered the final after beating Germany in the semi final.

The four-times world champions played good football through the tournament - in fact improving with every match. Midfielder Andrea Pirlo displayed wonderful footballing skills with accurate and disguising passes and stricker Mario Balotelli did great job - to be remembered for his two goals against Germany in the semi final.

However, Spain came out triumphant at the end of the day and lifted the European Champion title on Sunday.

Check out the winning moments of Euro 2012 [PHOTOS].