Vincente del Bosque’s side not only conquered history by becoming the first side to win three successive major tournaments, they also had to overcome sceptics who questioned whether their style of football had become boring.
Metronomic was no longer something to laud, but something to bore, according to some.
Even Arsene Wenger had a go at them before the final, questioning if Spain were "betraying their philosophy".
They answered those questions in emphatic style.
When they needed to raise the bar, they did so. And how.
"Today I have been decisive. I was lacking that deep, incisive pass, and today I had two," said Xavi, whose three assists in the 2008 and 2012 Euros have come in both finals.
Thiaggo Motta's second-half injury distorted things in the second-half. But their first two goals will be replayed for years to come. Italy were highly competitive in the opening 45 minutes, but when it comes to a pure football match, Spain have the cards to play the killer hand anytime.
"This tournament has proved that Italy are the most improved side in Europe, but the final proved we are not there yet. Spain are in a league of their own. They have shown how truly magical they are," BBC commentator and former Italy international Gianluca Vialli said.
"You can press them, get after them, try to close them down and it seems the opponent almost gets there. Then the next opponent almost gets there and then, before you know it, they are into your back four," Jamie Redknapp wrote after the match.
Rather than questioning Spain’s desire to attack, credit has to be given to del Bosque for conjuring a method that has allowed his side to continue to win and remain ruthless - without David Villa and Carles Puyol - against sides who have decided that they want to "park the bus" and sit back.
Further, when they were challenged by Italy’s 3-5-2 in game one, a resilient Croatia in game three and by an excellent Portugal in the semi-final, they found a way to step up when it mattered most.
Spain’s revolutionary "tika-taka" defines their golden four-year reign.
Deciding to keep the ball at all costs, probing for openings and playing to the strengths of the likes of Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets and Xavi has seen their style of play become part of football vernacular like "Catenaccio" or "Total Football". Indeed, they’ve got "better" at it; their 692 passes per game at Euro 2012 eclipses their 588 at World Cup 2010 (although it does include a game against Republic of Ireland).
Not only does their style have its own moniker, but Del Bosque’s success playing without an out-and-out No.9 has allowed him to throw conventional tactical wisdom out the window.
"There's not only one (way of playing) football," he said.
"The important thing is to score goals. We have a very balanced team. We have security in our players. We have great strikers, but we chose to play with players who went better with our style."
It’s far too simple to call the "six-midfield" system boring. It’s simply a vehicle to play to strengths, cash in on scintillating and shrewd movement and make use of six maestros while they are all at their best.
There’s no doubt Del Bosque was the beneficiary of Spain’s tremendous development structure that has spawned the likes of Xavi and Iniesta. Spain’s depth was such that he had options like Fernando Torres (a No.9-type player) or Jesus Navas and Pedro (width) to bring on to change the game when he needed to.
Rewind to the 2006 FIFA World Cup round-of-16 and clash against France; many wondered whether Spain, filled with so much talent, would ever fulfil their potential and break a tournament hoodoo.
Euro 2012 Final In Pictures
Well, the next generation has exploded into gear since then.
That was the last time La Roja lost a knockout tie at a major tournament, when an aging France team, led by Zinedine Zidane, moved into the quarter-finals in Germany.
Now, two European championships and a World Cup win later, this golden vintage of Spaniards is being considered seriously as the worthy recipients of the title of history’s greatest national football team.
Great National Teams
Which team stands as football's greatest national team?
That’s a fair wrap, but it’s not being thrown around loosely. del Bosque’s side, which hasn’t conceded a goal in knock-out football in their past two tournaments, has earned that mantle.
While the likes of Germany and Netherlands will begin to fear that another quality batch of players will not lead to any trophies and England continue to chase their tail, Spain have answered everything thrown at them. And it doesn't look like changing. Most of this crop, injury permitting, should be in Brazil. And Spain are also under-19 and under-21 European Championships, for good measure.
"To win three titles is almost impossible," Del Bosque said.
"We have to savour this victory. It's unique, it's magical; something that can't be repeated. I think we still haven't absorbed how great this is," Iniesta enthused.
No one had ever won three in a row. Does that make them the best ever?
Now it will be all eyes on Brazil 2014. Win that, and it’s case closed.
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