Uruguay smash Tahiti with eight goal to reach semis

2′ Abel Hernández 24′ Abel Hernández 27′ Diego Pérez 45+1′ Abel Hernández 61′ N. Lodeiro 67′ (PG) Abel Hernández 82′ Luis Suárez 90′ Luis Suárez

Uruguay ambled into the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup with a straightforward 8-0 win over Tahiti at Arena Pernambuco. Abel Hernandez opened the scoring with the fastest goal in the competition's history after 79 seconds and a Diego Perez finish came between his other two strikes which ensured the South Americans took a four-goal lead into half time. Andres Scotti missed a penalty early in the second half and was then sent off for a second yellow card one minute later, while Teheivarii Ludivion was also shown red for the Oceania champions before Nicolas Lodeiro, Hernandez with his fourth, and a Luis Suarez double wrapped up the win in comfortable fashion.

 Perez was the next player to spring the offside trap, getting his head on Gargano's cross and tapping home from close range after his initial nod hit the post. Uruguay stepped off the gas again and Tahiti took the opportunity to get forward, but Marama Vahirua and Steevy Chong Hue were unable to make the most of the chances that came their way. Any momentum gained was taken away in first-half stoppage time, though, as Gargano released Hernandez with a cutting pass and the striker poked the ball into the bottom corner to complete his hat-trick. After the interval it looked as though Oscar Tabarez's men would add their fifth goal when the referee pointed to the spot in the 50th minute following Nicolas Vallar's foul on Matias Aguirregaray, but things did not go to plan.

 Meriel denied Hernandez the record of becoming the first player to score five goals in a single Confederations Cup game with a great save, but substitute Suarez was not to be kept out eight minutes from time as he turned Henri Caroine inside out and rolled the ball into the bottom corner. Suarez then added his second with a tidy finish from the top of the box in the final minute of normal time, becoming Uruguay's all-time highest-scoring player in the process with 35 goals. Uruguay's win sees them finish second in Group B, setting up a semi-final encounter with hosts Brazil. Tahiti, meanwhile, held up a banner to thank their hosts after the full-time whistle, and will return to French Polynesia having won the hearts of both the host nation and the watching world with their efforts during the tournament.