Spain's Starter For Ten

 

Spain line-up: Reina, Albiol, Azpilicueta, Ramos (Navas, 45'), Monreal, Martinez, Cazorla (Iniesta, 76'), Silva, Villa, Torres, Mata (Fabregas, 69')

Tahiti line-up: Roche, Ludivion, Vallar, Lemaire, Aitamai, J. Tehau (T. Tehau, 52'), A. Tehau, Vahirua, Caroine, Bourebare (L. Tehau, 69'), Chong Hue  

It was the scoreline many expected but it was played in the spirit that perhaps a lot of people didn't expect. Spain may have put ten past Tahiti but gain a lot of credit. Just like they did against Nigeria, Tahiti didn't park the bus and tried to attack to best team in the world. There was a hat-trick for David Villa and four for Fernando Torres but the Confederation's Cup's biggest winning scoreline may actually be remembered more for a comical penalty miss by the Chelsea striker.

It took just five minutes before Tahiti's high line was breached. Torres played a great one-two down the wing before cutting inside the box and scoring at Mikael Roche's near post. But it didn't deter Tahiti one bit. Steevy Chong Hue once again impressed and he went down in the box looking for a hopeful penalty that wasn't given.

Roche prevented Spain from scoring their second goal with Torres hitting a half-volley straight at him. Jonathan Tehau also denied Spain from scoring just after the half hour mark when he prevented Torres' low ball getting to Villa. But the denial only lasted another 30-seconds as Villa turned provider, laying the ball across for David Silva to stroke in to the bottom corner.

It was 3-0 just two minutes later when Tahiti's high line was caught out on the halfway line. Torres was played through and Roche came out to try and get to him. Torres then cleverly clipped the ball over the top of the keeper before rolling it home in to the bottom corner.

It should have been four on 37-minutes but Villa ended up smashing his effort in to the side netting. But the fourth did come two minutes later when the Spaniards ended up being five versus one at the back after Tahiti were attacking again. This time is was Silva who played the ball across for Villa to make amends for his miss.

Tahiti did manage to make it until the fourth minute of the second half when Villa scored his second tap in, this time from Nacho Monreal's low cross. That became six on 57-minutes when Torres scored his hat-trick, Silva put half-time substitute Jesus Navas through and his pull back was netted by the Chelsea man.

Villa got his hat-trick on 64-minutes from a slightly offside position. Again Tahiti's line was on halfway as the long ball was played over the top. The ball should have gone easily to Roche but the keeper somehow managed to dive either over the ball, allowing Villa to gratuitously roll the ball home. Spain's eighth came two minutes later when Juan Mata joined the act by finishing between the keeper's legs.

Pepe Reina constantly spoiled the party as he prevented Tahiti from converting a low cross, much to the displeasure on the 71,000 fans in the Maracana. They even lifted the rafters when Roche made two good saves, an applause that almost brought the keeper to tears.

The officials weren't very forgiving either and the referee pointed the spot on 77-minutes when Ricky Aitamai blocks a Navas cross with his arms. Torres stepped up and the Maracana crowd got their wish as he could only hit the cross bar. But Torres would make amends just moments later as Spain broke from another Tahiti attack, rounding Roche to net his fourth goal.

Double figures was assured in the final minute as Silva managed to swivel and score from another Navas pull back after Torres had initially got in the way. But for all the goals, none of them would have brought more joy than if Tahiti would have scored.

The ovation the Tahitians got after the final whistle was phenomenal. The little French Polynesian nation has gained a lot of friends in this tournament and everyone hopes that they can hopefully at least score against Uruguay in their final showing. One thing is for certain, a few of the Tahitian players may no longer be amateurs after this, especially Chong Hue and maybe even at least one member from the Tehau family.