Uruguay will meet Brazil in the Confederations Cup semi-final after finishing second in Group B with an 8-0 win over Tahiti in Recife this evening.
Oscar Tabarez's side were ahead after less than two minutes and ruthlessly put the Pacific Islanders to the sword with a thoroughly professional display.
Palermo forward Abel Hernandez scored four and Liverpool's Luis Suarez came off the bench to help himself to a brace.
Tahiti exit the competition having conceded 24 goals in three games.
See how the action unfolded below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Confederations Cup as Uruguay take on Tahiti.
Tonight’s game is the first time Tahiti have played Uruguay and victory for Oscar Tabarez’s side will send them through to the semi-finals regardless of the outcome of Spain’s clash against Nigeria.
The two teams starting lineups are as follows:
URUGUAY STARTING XI: Silva; Coates, Gargano, Pereira; Eguren, Hernandez, Aguirregaray, Perez; Ramirez, Scotti, Lodeiro.
TAHITI STARTING XI: Meriel; Vahirua, Ludivion, Caroine, Vallar; Chong Hue, L. Tehau, Aitamai, J. Tehau; Simon, Hnanyine.
Tabarez has rung the changes for tonight’s match, naming an entirely different team to that one started against Nigeria.
Meanwhile Tahiti boss Eddy Etaeta has made three alterations to his team with Mickael Roche, Heimano Bourbebare and Edson Lemaire having to settle for a place on the bench.
Disappointingly for the neutral, the notable absentees for the Uruguayans include the attacking trio of Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani.
Cavani will probably be the most unhappy about missing out after enduring a largely sub-par tournament so far. The reported Real Madrid target scored 29 goals in Serie A for Napoli last season, and will not have had a better chance to get off the mark than tonight.
Despite Uruguay being geographically closer to Brazil, it is safe to assume that the Tahitians will enjoy the backing of the Brazilian fans, who have been quick to cheer them all the way throughout the tournament so far.
A series of riots in Brazil over the amount of public money spent on next year’s World Cup have perhaps marred this competition somewhat, but on the pitch, the football has been enjoyable.
Japan and Italy played out a thrilling 3-4 on Wednesday night, while hosts Brazil have entertained with wins in all three of their group games.
Spain set a new Confederations Cup record with their 10-0 win over Tahiti and the Uruguayans will perhaps be looking to run up a similar score this evening.
Uruguay have scored three goals in the competition so far with strikes coming from Suarez, Forlan and veteran defender Diego Lugano. All three players are absent from the starting XI tonight and Lugano will play no part at all, as he is serving a suspension.
The Tahitians have conceded 16 goals in their two games so far, but already have something of a moral victory after scoring in the 6-1 defeat to Nigeria in their opening game.
Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta has only one professional in his ranks in the shape of Marama Varihua and it was the Nancy forward himself who said that the team were just looking to mark their appearance at the tournament with a goal, last week.
We're almost ready for the kick off in Recife.
KICK OFF: We’re underway here in Recife, as Uruguay get the game up and running.
GOAL! Uruguay 1-0 Tahiti (Abel Hernadez)
The Palermo striker nods home from close range with less than two minutes on the clock.
An early goal was perhaps expected, but Hernandez stole in from a flick on to give his side the lead two minutes in. Tabarez's side are now knocking the ball about confidently.
The Tahitians look decent enough in possession, but look like conceding whenever Uruguay get within 30 yards of their goal. Expect to see goals this evening!
YELLO CARD: Ludivion goes in the book after pulling down Lodeiro as he bore down on goal.
The resulting freekick was hammered straight at the Tahiti wall and was perhaps wasted by Lodeiro.
The Brazilian fans are really getting behind the Tahitians and are roaring them forward at every opportunity.
Tahiti were guilty of playing far too high a line against Spain and they don't appear to have learned their lesson so far. Hernandez playing on the shoulder of the last defender could prove to be fruitful this evening.
Elsewhere in the group, Spain are leading Nigeria 1-0. If the scores stay the same Uruguay will join Spain in the semi-finals.
Tahiti are growing in stature and are knocking it about nicely in midfield, a ball is played out wide and it breaks down when Vahirua takes a poor touch out wide.
Another ball over the top sends Hernandez scampering away but the ball is too long and it goes straight to the arms of the goalkeeper.
Uruguay are on the attack again and a good cross comes in from Aguirregaray, but Eguren's header is comfortably held.
A delightful one-two is played between Eguren and Lodeiro with keeper committed, and the cross finds Hernandez, but his backheel is gathered before it can cross the line.
GOAL! Uruguay 2-0 Tahiti (Abel Hernandez)
Another long ball over the top sees Hernandez go through, he flicks it above the defender inside the box before slotting it home left-footed as it comes down. A fantastic finish from the Palermo forward.
GOAL! Uruguay 3-0 Tahiti (Diego Perez)
Another long ball beats the high line and Perez heads it onto the post before following up the rebound with a tap-in
Uruguay have a freekick on a dangerous position, 20 yards from goal.
The freekick strikes the wall and is eventually cleared. Perez fouls Vahirua to give the Tahitians some much-needed relief.
Tahiti have really struggled to even break out of their own half and it is only a matter of time before the South Americans claim their fourth, surely.
First chance of any note for Tahiti and it is inevitably created by Varihua. His shot hits a defender before he latches on to the rebound and strikes a tame left-footed shot at Silva's goal.
Uruguay are now playing a series of raking long range passes, that are catching the eye.
Chong Hue dances inside from wide left and feeds Vahirua but his long range attempt is too high to trouble Silva.
Chong Hue nearly lights up the entire competition with a great run. He takes it past two defenders before knocking it past the keeper, but he takes it too wide and his shot hits the side netting. A real shame.
Chong Hue again! Another direct run at the defence draws a foul and wins a freekick 30 yards out for his team.
The freekick comes in but disappointingly strikes the wall.
GOAL! Uruguay 4-0 Tahiti (Abel Hernandez)
A beautiful finish with the outside of his boot gives Hernandez his hat-trick just before half time after a through ball from Gargano.
HALF TIME: Uruguay 4-0 Tahiti
So Uruguay are meeting expectations at the break with Hernandez making the most of his start with a first half hat-trick.
Elsewhere, it's been a busy evening in the football world, with the announcement of Gus Poyet's sacking at Brighton & Hove Albion as well as Liverpool officially announcing the signing of Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo.
Back to this game and Tahiti have now shipped 20 goals in two and a half games in the Confederations Cup, and with the way the first period went, who would bet against Uruguay doubling their tally in the second half?
Walter Gargano has been a joy to watch in midfield, slicing the Tahiti defence open time and again with piercing through passes. His assist for Hernandez's third was particularly sublime.
Elsewhere, Spain are leading Nigeria 1-0, with Barcelona defender Jordi Alba getting his first strike of tournament. It is currently half time in that game.
You have to think the trio of Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan are itching to get on fill their boots here this evening.
Suarez and Forlan have their own personal duel with the two players numbers one and two in the Uruguayan all-time scoring charts. Suarez has 33 to Forlan's 34.
We're just about ready to restart in Recife.
KICK OFF: Tahiti get the second half underway.
Chong Hue gets the fans off their seats with a bit of flamboyance out wide. The winger threatens to kick it but deliberately misses the ball.
PENALTY TO URUGUAY!
Aguirregaray dances around Vallar but the defender brings him down with the referee pointing to the spot.
PENALTY MISSED! Andres Scotti
It's a poor penalty from Scotti, his low drive was saved to Meriel's left. A real moment to savour for the goalkeeper.
RED CARD! Scotti's time goes from bad to worse as he brings down Chong Hue and receives his second yellow card 20 yards from goal.
The game is starting to become a lot more stretched as Tahiti look to have taken heart from Scotti's dismissal.
Gargano, who was so influential in the first period has now gone to a right back slot. Suarez, and Forlan are warming up for Tabarez's side.
RED CARD! Ludivion is dimissed for another cynical foul just outside the box. The player leaves the field to huge applause, but is in tears.
GOAL! Uruguay 5-0 Tahiti (Nicolas Lodeiro)
Gargano's low drive across the box is eventually turned home by Lodeiro from point blank range. It's even sides again and Uruguay look like adding to their total.
It's now Spain 2-0 Nigeria, elsewhere.
PENALTY TO URUGUAY!
Almost a carbon copy of the first, this time Aguirregaray is brought down on the touchline by Chong Hue.
GOAL! Uruguay 6-0 Tahiti (Abel Hernandez)
Hernandez grabs his fourth with a confident penalty to the keeper's right hand side.
SUBSTITUTION: Luis Suarez replaces Gaston Ramirez. The Southampton winger had a fairly quiet game out there.
Just what the Tahitians wanted, Suarez summoned from the bench with their side down by six.
Caroine hits one from distance which sails well wide, but the Tahitian is still smiling despite the result.
Chong Hue's direct threat once again comes to the fore but his shot is again tame after cutting inside from the left.
Despite the six goals, the Uruguayans look like they want more and are still attacking with gusto.
A pocket of space opens up for Lodeiro but his shot arches well wide of the goal from around 22 yards.
Suarez jinks past a challenge and the ball eventually comes out to Alvaro Pereira on the left hand side, but his well-driven low cross evades everyone.
CHANCE! Hernandez somehow manages to miss a sitter for his fifth. The ball was put on a plate by Suarez but the striker's stabbed attempt ended up in Meriel's arms as the keeper was on the floor.
GOAL! Uruguay 7-0 Tahiti (Luis Suarez)
Suarez turns the last defender inside out twice before poking it beyond the goalkeeper. The goal was his 37th for club and country this season.
CHANCE! Almost an eighth as Gargano's low cross was cut out by Jonathan Tehau with the keeper out of position.
This has been a thoroughly professional performance from the Uruguayans. They have taken virtually every good chance that has presented itself.
GOAL! Uruguay 8-0 Tahiti (Luis Suarez)
Suarez become Uruguay's all-time top scorer as he plays a one-two with Hernandez before stroking home a left-footed effort from the edge of the box. Tahiti look dead on their feet.
FULL TIME: Uruguay 8-0 Tahiti
In the end Uruguay did perhaps what many expected them to do and ruthlessly put Tahiti to the sword.
The Tahitians were the crowd favourites and every attack and half chance was loudly cheered on, but there is a reason they are ranked 138th in world football, and Uruguay were professional in their display.
That's just about all from Sport Mole's coverage this evening. Thank you for your time, goodnight.
Written by
Paul Gorst
Paul Gorst
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