Defending champions Spain claimed an historic third successive major trophy with a 4-0 rout of Italy in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev Sunday.

Defending champions Spain claimed an historic third successive major trophy with a 4-0 rout of Italy in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev Sunday.

It was a breathtaking display from the 2010 World Cup winners, with victory all but sealed by halftime as goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba gave them a 2-0 lead.

Substitutes Fernando Torres and Juan Mata rounded off the emphatic win with two late strikes.

Victory in the final also represents a triumph for 61-year-old coach Vicente Del Bosque, the first man to lead teams to the World Cup, European Championships and European Champions League crowns, the latter with Real Madrid in 2000 and 2002.

But for Italy and their coach Cesar Prandelli it was a bitter end to a tournament which they had earlier graced with their imaginative performances.