Barça still supplying Spain with goals

Cesc Fàbregas’ goal against Italy (1-1) is the only one so far by a Barça player at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. It is also the only Spanish goal. This continues the trend set at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Vicente del Bosque’s side won the title on the back of goals scored entirely by FCB players.

Villa shows credentials

Following a shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their debut, Spain topped their groups with wins against Honduras (2-0) and Chile (2-1). David Villa, who had just signed for Barça, scored three and Iniesta got the other. In the second round and the quarter final, Spain won both their matches by a solitary Villa goal, against Portugal (1-0) and Paraguay (1-0).

Familiar sights

In the semi finals, Carles Puyol emulated his legendary header in the 6-2 win at the Bernabéu to resolve an agonising match against Germany. The final was another closely fought contest, going into extra time against Holland following a scoreless draw and eventually settled by Andrés Iniesta with minutes to go in a goal reminiscent of his crucial strike in the Champions League semi final a year earlier at Stamford Bridge.

Spain finished the championship with eight goals, all scored by Barça players, and their only goal in the current European Championship has also been scored by somebody on the FCB books, Cesc Fàbregas.