Uruguay v Tahiti, 23 June 2013

Kick-off: 4.00pm local (8.00pm BST) Match report With goals within three minutes of the start of each of the day’s final group games going in their favour, Uruguay sauntered towards a mouth-watering semi-final meeting with hosts Brazil. Despite making fully 11 changes from the crucial second game win against Nigeria, it became a veritable Sunday afternoon stroll against the gallant minnows from Tahiti. They went ahead from their first corner after 77 seconds when Abel Hernandez was left in far too much room at the far post. He added his and Uruguay’s second on 24 minutes when the Lazio forward advanced beyond Tahiti’s high line to coolly finish. Tahiti’s defence crumbled again three minutes later when Diego Perez was left totally unchallenged as he played a one-two with a goalpost before netting. Hernandez completed his hat-trick in the minute of added time at the end of the first-half with another clinical finish. The highlight of the game for the Oceania qualifiers came four minutes after the break when their debutant keeper Gilbert Meriel saved Andres Scotti’s penalty. The Nacional defender’s misery was compounded moments later when he was sent-off for his second yellow card offence. Tahiti’s numerical advantage was to last only eight minutes though as a tearful Teheivarii Ludivion departed after being shown his second yellow. Uruguay resumed their goalscoring practice just after the hour when Walter Gargano’s fierce cross-shot cannoned in off Nicolas Lodeiro. Man of the Match Hernandez showed his colleagues how a penalty should be taken when he slotted home on the three-quarter mark to net his fourth of the game. Their seventh goal came with eight minutes remaining courtesy of substitute Luis Suarez as the Liverpool star turned the hapless Henri Caroine inside out. Suarez added his second in the normal time’s final minute to claim the title of Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer. With Spain comfortably beating Nigeria, possibly the only disappointment for Uruguay is that they failed to equal their biggest-ever winning margin record which has stood for 86 years. While the Confederations Cup journey continues for them, it’s the end of the road for Tahiti. They have the consolation of knowing that their admirable naivety has endeared them to the Brazilian crowds. Preview Tahiti's great journey will come to an end after they face South American champions Uruguay who need a win to secure a spot in the semi finals. Only if Spain slip up against Nigeria will Uruguay have the opportunity to top the group. Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta will look to give as much of his squad as possible the unique chance to play on such a big stage. Veteran defender Diego Lugano will is suspended which signifies an opportunity for forgotten Liverpool defender Coates. Since the young Uruguayan was so impressive at the Copa America two years ago, he has failed to live up to his potential.