Spain beats Tahiti 10-0 -- and it should’ve been worse, coach says

Apparently Eddy Etaeta, manager of the Tahitian soccer team, underestimated his players.

On the eve of his squad’s Confederations Cup match with Spain on Thursday, Etaeta said the World Cup champions could score 15 or 20 goals against his team, which is composed almost entirely of amateurs.

He was off by at least five, with Spain winning 10-0 in Rio de Janeiro. And it could have been worse, but Spain missed on a late penalty kick — after which Tahiti keeper Mikael Roche celebrated as if he had won the lottery. Never mind the fact that Roche had already given up eight goals at that point. Or the fact that he never touched the ball, with the penalty kick sailing over the bar.

Spanish Coach Vicente del Bosque rested captain and No. 1 goalkeeper Iker Casillas in favor of Pepe Reina. And regulars Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas did not start.

But Fernando Torres did and he scored four times — the first coming in the fifth minute. David Villa added a hat trick while David Silva scored twice.

Six of Spain’s goals came in the second half.

Del Bosque and Iniesta both said that despite the lineup changes, Spain would not go easy on Tahiti because that would show a lack of respect for the team, which is representing Oceania in the eight-team dress rehearsal for next summer’s World Cup.

Spain outshot Tahiti, 27-1, and had a 67% to 33% lead in time of possession.

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