Arsene Wenger accepts things can get a “bit heated” between rival managers, but feels Jose Mourinho showed a lack of respect when the Chelsea boss said 10 years without winning the title must be “very boring” for Arsenal supporters.

Spain’s 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifier win at home to Ukraine did little to suggest the once all-conquering La Roja side have got over losing their unbeatable aura at last year’s World Cup.

It is fair to say that the local reaction to Fernando Torres rejoining Atletico Madrid this week will have surprised many outside Spain.

International Friendly

Spain defender Sergio Ramos has called for more of the same after the defending champions started their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in style – but also urged fans to show patience with the new-look national team.

Spain’s bid to return to the peak of international football begins in La Roja’s first Euro 2016 qualifier at home to Macedonia tonight.

Spain midfielder Xavi has announced his retirement from international football.

Spain’s previously all-conquering players have not reacted well to their shock early exit from this summer’s World Cup.

Spain arrived in Madrid on Tuesday and unlike four years ago, after a triumphant World Cup in South Africa, there were few fans waiting for them at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport.

Record-breaking Spain striker David Villa stopped short of admitting his international career is now definitely over but conceded it would be difficult for him to play for his country again as he looks ahead to a new challenge in America.

Spain must trust in their philosophy but trust their youth to enact it

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque could make wholesale changes for this evening’s make-or-break World Cup Group B game against Chile in Rio.

Spain striker David Villa has announced he plans to retire from international football after the World Cup.

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has announced he will be leaving the Spanish champions at the end of the season.

Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifying draw may have been the first time most football fans in Ireland realised Gibraltar had an international team which actually played in qualifiers.

Reaction to Friday’s difficult World Cup group stages draw was surprisingly confident in the Spanish camp.

Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla may have been expecting the question, but he was still hesitant with his answer.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has plenty to think about this week as he readies his previously all-conquering side for their crucial upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Finland in Gijon on Friday, and then France in Paris three days later.

Cesc Fabregas insists there is no chance of Spain easing off now they are record breakers.

Spain had to win, and to win in style.

Hundreds of thousands of people packed central Madrid tonight to give a hero’s welcome to “La Roja” – the national soccer team that erased the country’s gloomy mood by winning the Euro 2012 Championship.

Cesc Fabregas is not going to let jibes about ’boring’ Spain spoil the best day of his life.

There has been an understandably euphoric reaction from the Spanish media after the national side became the first side to win three major international tournaments in a row last night.

Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque was his typical modest self after his side had steamrolled Italy 4-0 to win Euro 2012 in Kiev last night.

Spain 4 Italy 0

Should Spain win tomorrow night’s Euro 2012 final against Italy, Vicente del Bosque will become the first coach to win the Champions League, World Cup and European Championship trophies — an achievement which eluded even West Germany’s Helmut Schön, Holland’s Rinus Michels and Italy’s Marcelo Lippi.

The sideshow runs another night; there is a trophy still up for grabs and the shot of transient satiety that comes with it.

Cesc Fabregas was again the hero with the deciding penalty as Spain edged past Portugal 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in last night’s Euro 2012 semi-final in Donetsk.

This time last year, few Spanish fans or pundits could say with certainty who would be playing left-back for La Roja at Euro 2012.

Nobody in Madrid was getting too carried away after Xabi Alonso’s double strike saw Spain beat France 2-0 in Donetsk.

Spain may have wowed the world over the last four years with their stylish passing football, but they would not be defending European, or World Cup, champions without [the interventions of keeper Iker Casillas.

By Alan Smith, Soccer Correspondent

Anyone who has watched Spain’s two opening Euro 2012 games will not be surprised that La Roja have statistically made a blistering start to the tournament.

Spain’s 4-0 win over Ireland convinced a previously wavering Madrid media that La Roja were on track to win Euro 2012.

Bewitched, bothered, bewildered — and beaten out of sight.

Rarely has a final whistle been met with such relief.

By Alan Smith

He is 25 now.

Two days had passed since Ireland’s defeat to Croatia by the time Shay Given spoke to the media, and two more had yet to go before the second Group C game against Spain, but the goalkeeper’s gaze is fixed in just one direction.

Spain winger Jesus Navas has warned Ireland the defending champions will attack from the off tomorrow night.

After Sunday’s deflating defeat, Irish fans might see a victory over Euro 2012 favourites Spain in tomorrow’s Group C clash as unlikely, but La Roja midfielder Sergio Busquets said yesterday that he and his team-mates were prepared for a difficult game.

Spain’s draw with a surprisingly impressive Italy was not a bad result for the defending Euro champions, but their performance threw up more questions than answers ahead of their clash with Ireland on Thursday.

Premier League followers might be surprised, but Chelsea misfit Fernando Torres looks set for a more central role than Manchester City’s title winner David Silva for Spain this month.

Where once under-achieving Spanish players were more virility and machismo than style and substance, now they go in search of a hat-trick of major tournament titles.