A few thoughts on...

Spain 4 vs. Italy 2 (European U21 Championship)

• Thiago Alcantara is an exceptional player. The midfielder is blessed with awareness, technique, touch and a range of passing that belies his years. This is before we even mention his big game bottle and eye for goal demonstrated by a first half hat-trick. At almost any other club in Europe apart from Barcelona he would be assured a starting role. 

• Thiago is only one in a team bursting with talent. His midfield partners also performed well. Illarramendi was excellent in the anchor role completing 7 tackles (more than any other player on the pitch) and ending the game with 97% pass success rate, the same as his teammate Koke who was more than proficient as midfield marauder. 

• Italy too possesses some brilliant technical players. Marco Veratti and Lorenzo Insigne are wonderfully talented but Spain's ability to keep the ball prevented them from playing their natural game. The game ended with possession split 61%-39% in Spain's favour.

• However, possession does not win games, goals do. I imagine that once the celebrations are over the Spanish backroom staff will turn their attention to their defence as they were opened up far too easily on a couple of occasions. Italy's first goal was fantastically simple - a nicely weighted long ball from Italy's half caught Spain's backline out and Immobile capitalized with a classy finish. Playing the Spanish way requires immense quality and defensive concentration, attributes that these young men are still developing. We'll have to wait and see but despite an emphatic win, there are certainly question marks over the future of Spain's defence.

• On the other hand there can be no question marks over Spain's attacking prowess. Even more impressive than their ball-retention in the final was their offensive movement, due in large part to the fluidity of Isco and Morata. With Tello growing into the game and testing Italy with his pace, the Spanish front three caused constant problems. Combined with Thiago's late runs into the box, Italy had no answer to Spain's clever movement. 

• I wish there was more to be said about Italy's side. Martin Tyler pointed out during the game that while the majority of the Azzurrini ply their trade on loan in Serie B, many of the Spanish players already have considerable first team experience.  Borini and Immobile scored good goals. The pass from Bianchetti for Italy's first was as good as Spain's defence was bad. We saw flashes of danger from Florenzi and Insigne but at the end of it Italy were simply beaten by a better side.  

• Spain's incredible international success over the past decade or so continues but I certainly would not consider their future dominance of football to be assured. Still, they have a stupendous amount of talent through their entire national setup - can you imagine the hype if Isco was English?

- Mr. Cadwallader

[Stats from Whoscored]