For half an hour it looked like Tahiti might confound the critics and keep the concession of goals to a premium, but they eventually let in 10 in a difficult night for the underdogs.
Of course they entered the game with little expectation and as was pointed on television, looked in awe of their illustrious opponents before the game even began.
A single strike from Torres was the difference between the teams for the opening 30 minutes, but soon a combination of defending that made the QPR rearguard last season look watertight and Tahiti’s goalkeeper Mickael Roche doing his best Massimo Taibi impersonation saw the goals flooding in.
We can’t be too hard on the side with just one professional player, but they will look back on some of the goals they conceded and think they could have been avoided.
Mickael Roche celebrates after saving a penalty from Fernando Torres
Nevertheless, Spain were always going to win. Fernando Torres bagged four goals and still missed a penalty, David Villa claimed a hat-trick while Juan Mata and David Silva also got on the scoresheet in a game that won’t live too long in the memory.
Here was some of the reaction on Twitter to the one-sided game.
If Roy Keane was from Tahiti he’d be livid there.
— Kevin Bridges (@kevinbridges86) June 20, 2013
As a boy, Robbie Keane always dreamed of playing in Oceania.
— dangerhere.com (@dangerhere) June 20, 2013
Good match against Tahiti, was very nice to play in Maracana Stadium! We are closer to semifinals! #VamosSefutbol
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) June 20, 2013
Tahiti completed more passes against Spain than Uruguay did (243 to 234)
— Football Stats Live® (@SocaStats) June 20, 2013
Sadlier against Cunningham is the most competitive action we’ve seen all night. @RTEsport
— Vincent Bradley (@VincentBradley) June 20, 2013