RIO DE JANEIRO — World Cup winner Spain routed the Pacific islanders from Tahiti 10-0 on Thursday at the Confederations Cup — a result that wasn't as bad as some had suggested beforehand.
Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said he feared Spain might score 15 or 20.
Still, the winning margin was the largest in a Confederations Cup match. The previous record margin for the World Cup run-up tournament was six, when Brazil beat Saudi Arabia 8-2 in 1999 and when Brazil beat Australia 6-0 in 1997.
Fernando Torres, who missed a penalty late in the match, scored four goals. David Villa added three goals, David Silva two and Juan Mata one.
Tahiti was the crowd favorite at the Maracana stadium with Brazilians wildly cheering the underdogs and jeering Spain. When Spanish midfielder Mata tried to score with a bicycle kick with the score at 4-0, the effort was met with loud booing.
