90 Ramos almost makes it 5-0 with a close-range back-heel, but Buffon collects it.

88 Spain make it an embarrassing night for Italy. Mata scores with virtually the first touch, slotting into an empty net after Torres squared the ball for him, with no defenders in sight.

88 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR SPAIN!!!

86 The third and final substitution for Spain, Juan Mata replaces Andres Iniesta.

85 The match is over as a contest, Spain will lift the Euro title for the second consecutive time, an unprecedented achievement in the continent.

84 Fernando Torres notches home with aplomb after running onto another superb threaded pass from Xavi.

84 GOAAAAAAAAAAL FOR SPAIN!!!

81 Nine minutes remaining, Spain are on the verge of making history by winning three successive major tournaments.

78 A penalty claim for Spain waved away by the referee, although Balzaretti appeared to have pushed Ramos.

75 The second substitution for Spain, Fabregas is replaced with striker Fernando Torres, who scored his team's winning goal in the Euro 2008 final victory over Germany.

73 Spain are playing their best match of the tournament. They can no longer be dubbed as "boring".

70 Spain totally dominate possession. Did Italy give up? It seems so.

67 Spain are enjoying an easy ride. They can now take advantage of their numerical advantage and put the result beyond doubt.

64 The decision of coach Cesare Prandelli to introduce Motta backfires as Italy will have to play with ten men.

61 Injury scare for Italy's Motta. If he does not carry on, the Azzurri will have to play with ten men for the remainder of the game.

59 The first substitution for Spain, winger Pedro replaces David Silva, who scored the early opener.

58 The in-form Casillas tips away a cross from Pirlo. Italy cannot find a way through.

56 The third and final substitution for Italy, Thiago Motta replaces the ineffective Ricardo Montolivo.

51 We may have made a quick judgment! Italy unlucky not to narrow the gap, thanks to a great save from Casillas, who thawrted a shot from the dangerous Di Natale.

51 Spain are closing in on a third goal. Italy's sluggish defenders are still finding it difficult to cope with Spain's pacy forwards.

47 Fabregas misses the target with a low shot before Buffon makes a superb save to deny a point-blank effort from the Barcelona midfielder.

46 Di Natale almost makes an immediate impact!! He connects with a cross from the right but his header goes just over the bar.

46 The second substitution for Italy, Antonio Di Natale comes on instead of Cassano.

The second half is underway.

The referee blows his half-time whistle, Spain 2-0 Italy.

45 Italy defender Andrea Barzagli receives a yellow card for a challenge on Andres Iniesta.

44 Casillas once again blocks a shot from Montolivo. Italy are only restricted to long-range efforts.

41 The impressive Alba finds Xavi, makes a darting run to ghost behind the defence, receives the return pass and place his shot beyond Gianluigi Buffon and into the net.

41 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR SPAIN!!!

39 Balotelli tries his luck from distance but his shot goes high over.

38 On the other hand, Spain's lively left-back Jordi Alba is causing constant menace to Italy's backline.

37 Italy are pushing forward, but they rarely carve out clear-cut chances.

33 Casillas blocks a powerful shot from Andrea Pirlo. Italy are slightly better now.

29 De Rossi picks out Cassano with a superb pass. Cassano bursts into the area but, in a selfish move, he opts to shoot from a tight angle rather than finding his teammates. Casillas handles his shot.

27 Italy's substitute Balzaretti whips in a precise cross but Iker Casillas clears the danger.

25 First yellow card in the game, Spain defender Gerard Pique is booked for a clumsy challenge on Antonio Cassano.

21 Italy are forced to make an unscripted substitution. Left-back Chiellini picks up an injury, making way for Federico Balzaretti

19 Spain were criticized for being "boring" during the past games in Euro 2012 but they appear lively tonight, leaving Italy players to chase shadows.

16 Italy are looking for an instant response. They were awarded two corners in quick succession.

14 Fabregas latches onto a deft through pass on the right hand side of the penalty area, outpaces Chiellini before crossing for David Silva to head home into the roof of the empty net. A deserved lead for Spain.

14 GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR SPAIN!!!!

12 Spain are dominating possession. Italy remain tight at the back, however.

10 Xavi wastes Spain's first goal-scoring opportunity!! He superbly exchanges passes with Fabregas on the edge of the area but his subsequent shot goes over the bar.

8 Ramos towers above the defence but heads a corner over the bar.

7 Chiellini clears the ball just before David Silva collects it at the far post. Spain are mounting pressure.

6 Ramos skews his long-range free-kick high and wide.

5 Sergio Ramos is keeping a close eye on Balotelli, who excelled in the semi-final against Germany.

4 Spain are now begining to deploy their trademark smooth football, but Italy's midfielders are pressuring them high up the pitch.

2 Andrea Pirlo shoots wide from the edge of the area in Italy's first attacking attempt.

The match is underway

20:40 Both sides stepped onto the pitch. They are now lining up for the national anthem.

20:37 Ghanaian midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who plays for AC Milan, is supporting Italy. "Forza Italia," he said on his Twitter account.

20:35 German singer Oceana Mahlmann is now singing the Euro 2012 official song "Endless Summer" during the tournament's closing ceremony

20:15 Both sides are warming up, 30 minutes before kick-off.

20:10 Italy are taking heart from the impressive form of veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo. They will be also hoping forward Mario Balotelli replicate the form that saw him score twice in the semi-final victory over Germany.

20:10 Spain are once again playing without a recognized striker. Coach Vicente Del Bosque relies on natural midfielder Cesc Fabregas to finish off his side's attacking attempts.

19:50 Italy's starting line-up: Buffon, Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Marchisio, De Rossi, Montolivo, Pirlo, Balotelli, Cassano.

19:50 Spain's starting line-up: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba, Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Busquets, Silva, Fabregas.

19:47 Germany great Franz Beckenbauer tweets: "Spain is the favourite, but Italy got better game by game. Penalty shoot-out wouldn't surprise me."

19:45 Italy, on the other hand, are seeking to win their first Euro title since 1968, the only time they won the tournament.

19:45 Spain are bidding to become the first nation to win three consecutive major tournaments, having won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup after producing their trademark free-flowing football.

19:45 Welcome to Ahram Online's live coverage of the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine.

(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)

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