Group B ended up finishing as expected with Spain winning the group unbeaten and Uruguay finishing as runners-up. A comfortable 3-0 victory over Nigeria meant that Spain easily booked a semi-final date with Italy, a replay of the Euro 2012 final. It was always going to be a tall order for Uruguay not to qualify and book a semi-final place against fellow South Americans, Brazil, and an 8-0 victory over Tahiti confirmed this.
Any hopes of Tahiti putting in a brave defensive performance to reduce the goals were dashed pretty much straight away. The French Polynesian side were behind after just two minutes when the much changed Uruguay side took a corner. The ball was flicked on by Andreas Scotti before being headed in by Palermo's 22-year old striker, Abel Hernandez from all of five yards.
In the other game, it only took a minute more for Spain to begin edging out Nigeria from the tournament. Jordi Alba produced some great skill to beat four defenders before getting a bit of luck with a ricochet. The Barcelona man then fired in his shot from 15-yards to cap off a truly brilliant solo effort. Nigeria did try to respond but Victor Valdes was up to the challenge and managed to keep the Africans out.
Tahiti were again doing their best to be attacking and provide some sort of threat. But their defence was still risking that dangerous high line and it was breached again on 24-minutes. Hernandez was able to score his second with a touch of class that may get some attention from the big boys of Europe. The striker was played in over the top but Jonathan Tehau did well to race back to him. This didn't bother Hernandez though and he just flicked the ball over his head and expertly volleyed the ball home.
It was 3-0 just three minutes later and it was a rare moment in front of goal for Diego Perez. This time it was Walter Gargano who played the ball over the high defence and Perez was able to head it goalwards. But the header hit the post before Perez rushed to get to the rebound along the line in front of the keeper and tap in his second goal in 85-caps.
Spain were making all the headway in the other game and it was pretty much down to Vincent Enyeama as to why the World Champions hadn't doubled their lead. They would come even closer as the half drew to a close when Cesc Fabregas could only hit the post with his rasping effort.
Tahiti did create a few chances as the first half came to an end and the impressive Steevy Chong Hue continued to be so again. He managed to break through the defence and round the keeper but as the grass was running out, Chong Hue lost his balance and his effort could only hit the side netting. Uruguay would go in to the break 4-0 ahead and it was Hernandez who would get his hat-trick. Again Gargano was the creator with another defence splitting ball for the striker to send his shot in to the net.
Tahiti may not have scored in this match but they did cause the stadium to roar with a piece of fantastic pride. Uruguay would be given a penalty just four minutes in to the second half when Matias Aguirregaray was fouled by Nicolas Vallar. Scotti stepped up to take it and keeper Gilbert Meriel managed to guess right and save it. The ball did momentarily spill from underneath him but he quickly dived back on it to cause an absolute frenzy on the bench and in the crowd. The Oceania side were then given a slight helping hand when Scotti was later sent off just two minutes later for a second bookable offence after bringing down Chong Hue and Uruguay were down to ten.
But it didn't take long for the player count to be levelled up when Teheivarii Ludivion also saw red on the hour mark, also for a second bookable offence. This competition had gotten this far, perhaps more through luck than judgement, without a red card and now there had two in one game. Uruguay instantly took advantage by scoring their fifth just a minute later; Gargano again getting the assist with a cross come shot that Nicolas Lodeiro was able to tap home.
Nigeria had been more threatening at the beginning of their second half. But Spain soon made them quiet with a second on 62-minutes. Fernando Torres had just come on for Soldado and within moments he managed to send a diving header past Pedro for his fifth of the tournament. Torres should have made that six just minutes later, but this time he mis-cued his effort and it sailed over the bar.
Hernandez was able to cap off a memorable match with a fourth goal on 67-minutes. It came via another penalty when Chong Hue shrugged Aguirregaray off the ball in the box and it was the right decision to point to the spot. Hernandez coolly stepped up and converted in to the bottom corner with a great spot kick. Luis Suarez would make a cameo appearance towards the end and it began by scoring Uruguay's seventh eight minutes from time; hie Premiership experience was enough to outsmart a Tahitian defender with a turn and the want-away Liverpool striker fired home. Suarez would also score Uruguay's eight with two minutes remaining and scored with a neat finish after being given the ball by Hernandez.
Spain's victory was also assured on that mark as they grabbed their third. It actually came from a Nigeria that was cleared. Alba was the quickest to the loose ball with a run that began in his own half. He managed to control the ball before rounding Enyeama a rolling home his second of the match. Final group table:
1. Spain 9
2. Uruguay 6
3. Nigeria 3
4. Tahiti 0
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