Mario Balotelli moves from sideshow to the headline act

This time Silvia Balotelli couldn't have an influence. Mario's adoptive mother was here for the final with her husband Franco but even a formidable Italian mama might not be a match for the best football team ever to play the game.

It all fell apart for her son. By the end he had crouched petulantly waiting for the re-start after Spain's fourth goal and then capped it all by stupidly walking straight down the tunnel, brushing aside an Italian official who tried to stop him. He didn't bother acknowledging the fans. He looked a very young 21 year-old.

His agent Mino Raiola might outrageously claim that Balotelli is now worth £200 million, the kind of ridiculous statement that doesn't help, but he has affirmed his worth in the tournament and his worth to Italy also.

While England's striker from Manchester, Wayne Rooney, was such a crushing disappointing, Italy's striker from the same city made the right impact until those dying minutes. Maybe not last night in the way that he wanted - although he kept himself in check for a while despite boiling emotions. But positive memories prevail.

There were so many plot-lines and stories, so many narrative layers to this Italian team and their campaign which has fired the imagination with what Gianluca Vialli felt moved to call the "visionary" approach of coach Cesare Prandelli - although not long ago he was being vilified, hounded.

From the match-fixing scandal that tainted the squad, and still hangs over players such as Leonardo Bonucci, who started last night's (Sunday's) encounter, to Prandelli's own personal tragedy in recovering from the loss of wife.

From Italy's debacle as holders at the 2010 World Cup finals, the inhibited, tired football that turned off a nation to the commitment to attack shown by Prandelli and just how instrumental the magical brushstrokes of Andrea Pirlo have been to that. From the force of nature that is Daniele De Rossi to the incredible comeback from heart problems and a propensity for self-destruction which appeared to have ended Antonio Cassano's career.

But nothing has caught the imagination, surfed the wave as much as Balotelli, from sideshow and circus to main act as he crashed in those two goals against Germany in the semi-finals and lost himself in Silvia's embrace as he dedicated them to her.

Prandelli had said his own aim was "to make Italians love their national game again" but they have been slow to love Balotelli who not so long ago, when Guiseppe Rossi was fit, and then when he was discarded after a dismissal for Manchester City, had appeared far from becoming so important a player. It changed that night in Warsaw.

Last night all eyes were on him. Which Mario would we get last night? Super or Silly or - at times - Supine?

Although for a time Italy gained more than half the share of possession - an extraordinary occurrence when it comes to playing Spain - they also conceded twice in a blur of incision by the champions in an opening period.

Italy played their part by doing exactly what Prandelli said they would - they played. With Pirlo partially shackled by Xavi, De Rossi picked up the baton to drive his team forward while Balotelli attempted to free himself of Sergio Ramos. He seemed tetchy after the earlier clash, and reacted after tackled by Alvaro Arbeloa, and then a challenge by Sergio Busquets, but it passed.

Soon he was giving a thumbs-up to Ricardo Montolivo after an exchange of passes and was agonisingly close to reaching Federico Balzaretti's cross only for Iker Casillas to claw the ball away.

Not for the last time. But as well as Italy were playing, they were being picked off and their anxiety levels rose - that showed when Balotelli's overran the ball as he surged forward, awarding possession to Gerard Pique and then drove wildly over when well-placed.

One more goal would take Balotelli - on three - to the Golden Boot but by now one more goal wasn't enough. Italy found themselves a second goal down and, worryingly, Balotelli's shoulders dropped.

As well as Italy had rallied after the first goal, with De Rossi's power dominating the midfield, could they possibly expect to claw back a two-goal advantage against a nation who always seemed to win when they struck first and appeared intent on making a point as well as retaining their title?

To be fair, Cassano, so impressive in this tournament, was struggling to supply the support to Balotelli and Prandelli reacted with the half-time introduction of the more predatory, Antonio Di Natale and, within seconds, he went close with a header and then missed a gilt-edged chance soon after.

Balotelli's frustration grew; but his effort rose again sending another shot from distance over, trying to work his way into the penalty area, running the line from full-back to full-back to try and eke out some space.

Matters were conspiring against Italy, the game was up, and they were reduced to 10 men when their third substitute was taken off on a stretcher off soon after coming on.

It killed the contest - before Spain's two late goals sealed the rout - but not their contribution to this tournament and not Balotelli's acceptance as an international striker.