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Torres pips Balotelli to Golden Boot after Spanish super sub strikes late in final
Posted Monday, July 02, 2012 by Dailymail

Fernando Torres has won the Euro 2012 Golden Boot award after scoring his third goal against Italy in the final.

Spain, who ran out 4-0 winners, chose to start without a striker in the showpiece event in Kiev, with Cesc Fabregas playing in the 'false nine' position.

But Torres scored the champion's third goal to win the award despite finishing level with a host of players, courtesy of having one assist to his name.

Torres pips Balotelli to Golden Boot after Spanish super sub strikes late in final
Main man: Fernando Torres has won the Golden Boot at Euro 2012

Torres pips Balotelli to Golden Boot after Spanish super sub strikes late in final
Torres only started one of Spain's five matches at the tournament, against Ireland, when he scored twice.

He was replaced by Fabregas, and later by Alvaro Negredo against Portugal as Spain experimented with their line-up.

In the final itself, Spain led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba.

Italy's chances were all but over when Thiago Motta was stretchered off when the Azzurri had already made their three substitutions.

Torres, and Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata added gloss to the scoreline with late goals, the second of which was assisted by the Stamford Bridge striker.

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Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia