Spain make history as they crush Italy

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Defending champions Spain secured an unprecedented third successive major trophy as they beat Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final here on Sunday.

It is the biggest winning margin in the history of the tournament - beating West Germany's 3-0 win over the Soviet Union in 1972.

Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba gave the world champions a comfortable advantage as they scored more than once for the first time in the tournament's knockout stages.

Further goals came from substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata - a minute after coming on - in the second-half against an Italy side that had to play the last 30 minutes down to 10 men as they used up all their substitutes.

The Spanish broke the deadlock in the 14th minute as Cesc Fabregas set up Silva, who headed home and all but put the game beyond the Italians in the 41st minute as Alba, outstanding all tournament, collected a superb ball by Xavi and slotted it home.

Thiago Motta's injury in the 61st minute just after coming on as their third replacement left them with 10 men and Torres and Mata rounded off a facile victory.