Although Spain was considered the biggest title favorite by all experts and betting providers even before the start of the tournament and Italy's entry into the finals was perceived as a surprise, an open duel was generally expected. This was not only due to the convincing performance of the Italians in the preliminary round match against the Iberians and in the final round, but also to the performance of the Spaniards, whose style of play had been criticized several times during the tournament. In addition, Italy was a feared opponent for Furia Roja as well as for the German team. Spain's only competitive win against Squadra Azzurra so far was in 1920. In this final, however, Spain showed one of its best performances in recent years and took its chance as first team ever to defend the European title.
The decisive factor was the individual class of Xavi and Iniesta, who have played a major role in the successes of recent years at both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Both players each initiated a goal for the decisive 2-0 half-time lead. Italy held up well, but only came up with opportunities through set pieces and long-range shots. The second half began with an open exchange of blows; During the first few minutes both teams had great chances of scoring, Buffon and Casillas could prove their class. However, Italy was lucky at this stage of the game that referee Pedro Proença considered a handball by Bonucci in the penalty area as unintentional.
The decision of the game was not made by another goal, but by the injury of Thiago Motta only a few minutes after his substitution, when the substitution quota was already exhausted. Outnumbered Italy had nothing to oppose the Spaniards playing in a frenzy and no longer had any significant chances. Instead, the defending champion used the disintegration of the Italian defensive in the final phase with two more goals.
Spain's 4-0 win against Italy was not only Spain's highest win against the four-time world champions and, in addition to the win against Ireland in the preliminary round of the tournament, the highest win for the Spaniards at a European Championship finals, but also a record for the entire competition : Never before had a team won or lost a European Championship final so clearly, the previous record was Germany's 3-0 success against the Soviet Union in the 1972 final. Spain also had the previous sole record holder in terms of the number of European Championship titles Germany draw level.
0: 1 Cristiano Ronaldo (79.)
Limberský (90.)
1: 1 Gerrard 
Young hits the crossbar 
Thiago Motta (61st, as the exchange contingent was already exhausted)
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