Spain wins... again.

Spain thrashed Italy 4-0 to win their 2nd consecutive Euro championship, and their 3rd straight major championship victory, a record. The arguments have begun to say that Spain is the greatest international side ever to play.

The final score line was deceiving; the game, to me, will always be 2-0. The final Torres and Mata goals were a little jaded, since the Italians were playing with ten men, most of whom were demoralized and out of energy. Spain really showed why they haven't lost in 40 some matches; it's so hard to beat them. They pass so well, even if they don't score after 30, 40, even 60 minutes, they will eventually score, because Xavi and Iniesta and Xabi Alonso and others dissect the defense. The only way to stop them is to put all your men behind the ball and play for penalties/draw. This isn't a secret; Chelsea showed the whole world this in beating Barca in that infamous two leg UCL semifinal. It's just impossibly hard to execute this plan that many teams can't win. Spain dominated the whole game, obviously, but they astounded the audience with beautiful play. The first goal showcased a beautiful through ball from Iniesta to Cesc Fabergas, who crossed the ball from the touch line to a flying David Silva. Silva headed the ball past Gianluigi Buffon. Jordi Alba, Spain's left back, made it two when he made a run past Xavi, recieved the ball then hit past Buffon. Italy still pushed to make a comeback, and looked like it until Thaigo Motta, who had been brought on as the Azzuri's last sub, was taken off with an injury. This brought Italy to ten men, and ended the game. Fernando Torres scored, and then fed Juan Mata, his Chelsea teammate, with an assist, which clinched him, not Mario Gomez, not Mario Balotelli, the Golden Boot for the tournament. That seems a little wrong doesn't it?

So then, here is the question; is this Spain team, the one that has made the run, the greatest ever? My answer is, yes. This is a record for a reason. No other team has done this. Not 1970 Brazil or early 70's West Germany. Spain plays the best football, despite being called boring, I have ever seen. They are without flaw in my mind. I can't wait to see them with a healthy, albeit older, David Villa at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Watching this Spain team is watching history.