SPAIN CHAMPION EURO 2012

Spain 4 Italy 0: Silva, Alba, Torres and Mata the heroes as La Roja create history in Kiev  

Spain shrugged off their boring tag to create a unique slice of history by becoming the first team to defend the European Championship crown after beating Italy 4-0 in Kiev. 

David Silva finished off a brilliant move to give his side a 14th-minute lead. Then Jordi Alba raced onto Xavi's exquisite return pass to slide a second past Gianluigi Buffon just before the break.

Fernando Torres came off the bench to crown a remarkable two months for the Chelsea striker. Just weeks after lifting the Champions League trophy, he scored with a few minutes remaining to end the tournament as top scorer.

Champions! Torres scored the Spaniards' third as the Italians were blown away in Kiev

Spain v Italy - match facts

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva (Pedro Rodriguez 59), Fabregas (Torres 75), Iniesta.

Subs not used: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina.

Booked: Pique.

Goals: Silva (14), (Alba 41) Torres (84), Mata (88).

Italy: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini (Balzaretti 21), Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo (Thiago Motta 57), De Rossi, Balotelli, Cassano (Di Natale 45).

Subs: Sirigu, Maggio, Ogbonna, Giaccherini, Borini, Giovinco, Diamanti, Nocerino, De Sanctis.

Booked: Barzagli. 

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

And there was more to come as Torres' Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata scored with two minutes left to seal a memorable night for the all-conquering Spaniards.  

In truth it was more than the Italians could handle - Cesare Prandelli's side looked tired and failed to create sufficient chances to haul themselves back into the game. 

More to follow...

Heads I win: Silva scores the opening goal past Italy goalkeeper Buffon

 

 

 RONEY  USA T

Wayne Rooney endured a miserable Euro 2012 – the pressure, Steven Gerrard tells us, became too much for the Manchester United star to handle. 

Banned for England's opening two games, Rooney failed to live up to the hype on his return to Roy Hodgson's side, scoring just one goal in two very lacklustre displays. 

A Champions League, and multiple Barclays Premier League winner, Rooney is unlikely to hold this summer's championships in high esteem. 

Centre of attention: Rooney is snapped partying with Ireland, Cole, Wright-Phillips and Knight in LA

Perhaps that would go some way to explaining his partying antics in Los Angeles after he was granted an extended break by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

On holiday with wife Coleen, Rooney hit a vodka party on Saturday. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the England ace was surrounded by some rather familiar faces. 

The United striker was snapped hanging out with fellow England team-mate Ashley Cole, also enjoying a summer break across the Pond. Bolton defender Zat Knight, Queens Park Rangers midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland also joined in on the party. 

Time to party: Rooney poses with American rapper Trey Songz

Posing for pictures with rap stars Timbaland and Trey Songz, Rooney and Co were attending the BET Awards Summer Pool Soiree. 

Rooney was then pictured out in Hollywood with Coleen, as he continued to put his Euro woes behind him. 

Earlier, England captain Gerrard came out in support of his England team-mate following a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign. He said: 'At this level one of the biggest things is playing without expectation or fear.

Out of touch: Rooney failed to live up to the hype on his return to Roy Hodgson's side