All pass with flying colours
Spain reserved their best for the final at Euro 2012. It was a perfect evening for the world champions as they added another glittering trophy to their on-the-brink-of-collapse cabinet. Here is a report card on the Spaniards’ final breeze.
Iker Casillas: ‘Saint’ Iker enjoyed a dream evening. He hardly put a foot wrong. Made an instinctive block to deny Antonio Di Natale from close range. Rating: 9
Jordi Alba: The Catalan may be wet behind the ears but he strode the Kiev pitch like a giant. Scored a sumptuous goal after a sublime move. Alba is an undoubted star of Euro 2012. Rating: 9
Sergio Ramos: Defended stoutly throughout. Never allowed Mario Balotelli an inch. Blazed a header over in the first half. The cheeky back-heel towards the end captured the essence of the mismatch. Rating: 8
Gerard Pique: Went into the referee’s book for a cynical challenge on Antonio Cassano. Grew in confidence as the match progressed. Had a decent outing. Rating: 7
Alvaro Arbeloa: The weakest link in a superb team was steady, if not spectacular as the other fullback, throughout. Lacked confidence with the ball but discharged his primary duties without fuss. Rating: 7
Sergio Busquets: Combined superbly with Xabi Alonso to keep the irrepressible Andrea Pirlo quiet. His disruptive work was crucial as it liberated Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta on the attacking half. Rating: 8
Xabi Alonso: Was excellent, as usual. The rock in front of defence ensured that the Spanish attack never lost steam. Can wave goodbye to his beard as the mission has been accomplished. Rating: 8
Xavi: After a subdued tournament, the midfield general burst into life against the hapless Italians. Released Alba with a pass of the tournament. Setting up the third was the icing on the cake. Rating: 9
Iniesta: The player of the tournament unlocked the Azzurri vault with a telling pass to Cesc Fabregas for the opening goal. Deserved all the applause upon his substitution in the dying minutes. Rating: 9
David Silva: Landed the first blow on Buffon and Co. with a fine header. But he faded away from the match gradually. Vicente del Bosque was right to take the City man off. Rating: 8
Fabregas: Left Giorgio Chiellini dead on the right to set up the opener for Silva on a platter. The False 9 justified the faith Del Bosque had reposed in him. Rating: 9
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