Spain vs. Tahiti: Rating the Spanish players in Lopsided Victory

Spain walloped Tahiti this afternoon at the Maracana, winning by the largest margin of victory in the history of a FIFA tournament.

It was a rare opportunity for the Tahitians, who fielded a team of ten amateurs, and a potential nightmare for world and European champion Spain, knowing that even a resounding and convincing victory could be seen as a disappointing performance.

The first half hour saw the Spanish only a goal up, with Cazorla, Mata and Silva all failing to find space and misplacing passes through the middle. Though one should be wary drawing firm conclusions from this type of match, I don't think many people will be questioning the superiority of Vicente del Bosque's midfield selections against Uruguay over the second team he fielded tonight.

Tahiti's high defending paid off early on in the match, as Spain were reduced to hitting through passes and attacking down the flanks. 

On the Tahitian side, midfielders Marama Vahirua and Steevy Chong Hue were the main bright spots going forward, occasionally troubling the Spanish defenders before the play inevitably broke down.

Eventually, Tahiti's resistance crumbled as Spain started to expose their risky defending, and the match became little more than a training exercise.

Here's how the Spanish players fared individually.

Pepe Reina: The Spanish goalkeeper was rarely called upon. He intercepted a few crosses successfully, but also mistakenly came to claim Tahiti's one corner kick. Javi Martinez's resulting header could have gone anywhere, but it spared Reina's blushes by sailing wide. Rating: 5

Cesar Azpilicueta: He was occasionally compromised down the right but provided a threat going the other way. Azpilicueta made some decent crosses and some hopeful ones, but was allowed plenty of space down the right side. Rating: 5.5

Sergio Ramos: Solid in central defense with little defending to do. Rating: 6.5

Raul Albiol: He'll be disappointed to have conceded a soft foul that led to one of Tahiti's best opportunities but otherwise had little effect on the match. Rating: 5.5

Nacho Monreal: He had a few hopeful crosses in the first half, but was a more consistent threat than his counterpart on the right. Rating: 5.5

Javi Martinez: For one midfielder who could certainly lay claim to a starting spot, he didn't do himself any favors. Allowed Chong Hue to skip by him on a bursting run in the first half and misplaced a few passes to boot. Rating: 5

Santi Cazorla: The Arsenal midfielder was wasteful in possession in the first half, failed to move the ball on quickly and found little joy in breaking Tahiti down through the middle. Rating: 4

David Silva: Like his midfield compatriot Cazorla, he did not look up for the match in the first half, but managed to contribute a pair of well-taken goals as well as a couple of assists. Rating: 6

Juan Mata: Mata helped calm Spain's nerves with the early (albeit rather simple) assist to Torres inside five minutes, and claimed a rather lucky goal late on once the rout was well underway. In between he had a rather run of-the-mill performance. Rating: 4.5

David Villa: He has to be happy with his goalscoring output, but the highlight of his match was the assist to Silva 31 minutes in. After a beautifully taken turn with the heel of his foot, Villa held off two defenders at the top of the area, faked a shot and played a perfectly weighted ball through to Silva who finished off the move. Rating: 6

Fernando Torres: The major boost to his confidence provided by some nifty finishing was blighted with a missed penalty in the second half. Nevertheless, he finished his other chances coolly and clinically, making it a strong performance for El Niño. Rating: 6

Substitutes:

Jesus Navas: Provided more of a threat down the right as Tahiti were worn down in the second half. Good cross to Torres to complete his hat trick. Rating: 5.5

Fabregas, Iniesta: He paarticipated in the match only in a technical sense, coming on with the goal margin already eight.