Tahiti vs. Nigeria: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Tahiti and Nigeria were the final two teams yet to play a match in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup action until Monday, when the Minnows and the Super Eagles squared off in Brazil with a shot at the golden trophy on the line. 

Nigeria jumped out early against the overmatched Tahiti side and never looked back, scoring six goals and missing several other chances to turn a 6-1 final into a final that would have looked more like a high-scoring baseball game than a soccer match. 

SuperSport Blitz had the final on Twitter: 

Elderson got the Super Eagles on the board just five minutes into the match, scoring off a ricochet and giving his side the 1-0 lead. 101 Great Goals had the tweet:

Although it was exactly the start Nigeria needed in a match of this nature, it certainly wasn't the skillful side of the game that was giving the Super Eagles the advantage. 

Soccer Guy noted as much on Twitter:

Nigeria didn't stop there, as star striker Nnamdi Oduamadi got the first of his three goals just five minutes later. The Super Eagles took a 2-0 lead just 10 minutes into the match, and Tahiti was on pace to give up 18 goals at that point—one every five minutes. 

101 Great Goals also had video of Nigeria's second goal of the afternoon:

The scoring slowed down from there, but ESPN's Mark Jones had already had enough. Heck, he's had enough of anyone not named Spain in the field:

Oduamadi would strike again in the 26th minute, when he found the back of the net after an error from Tahiti goalkeeper Xavier Samin paved the way to a 3-0 start. Despite the opponent's gaffe, Oduamadi had no problem celebrating his brace (via ESPN FC):

At that point, the rout was officially on. BBC Sport, for one, was taking odds on whether or not the Super Eagles would break the five-goal mark by the end of the afternoon:

Nigeria wouldn't score again in the first half, and Tahiti took that time to mount a slight shift in the possession area of the game. Let's be clear—the Minnows struggled to get anything going, but their attack style lends itself to the idea that a few goals are going to be scored in the tournament if the opposing side relaxes. 

That's exactly what happened in the second half. 

Jonathan Tehau did what seemed like the impossible—he scored a goal against Nigeria after 54 minutes of futility from his inexperienced squad. A corner kick and a poorly positioned Vincent Enyeama led to the goal, and a 3-1 deficit for the Minnows. 

It would be the only goal Tahiti scored on the afternoon, but it certainly was a low spot for the Super Eagles and one that sparked the Minnows to celebration. 

Some (101 Great Goals) had dreams of a comeback:

But the comeback was not to be, as Nigeria scored three more goals in the final 35 minutes to turn a close match into a blowout in Brazil on Monday afternoon. One was an own-goal from Tehau, but the other two belonged to Elderson and Oduamadi, who added their second and third goals of the afternoon, respectively. 

101 Great Goals had the highlight of Oduamadi's hat-trick goal as the match wound down in the 76th minute. 

Nigeria has nothing to celebrate other than the win on Monday, as Spain and Uruguay are both looming in group play the rest of the way. Although the Super Eagles took home the big win, things aren't going to get any easier the rest of the way. 

As for Tahiti, who mustered up a solid 10 shots and 78 percent pass success rate (via WhoScored.com), things aren't going to get any easier, either. The Minnows have a long row to hoe, but that's what happens when you play in a major tournament for the first time ever. 

Let's take a look at some grades and what's next in the Confederations Cup below. 

Full Grades

Nnamdi Oduamadi: A+++

Any time you get a hat trick in an international tournament like this, it's something to celebrate. 

Oduamadi gets three pluses on his "A"—one for each of his goals in the blowout win—and should be happy with his efforts for the Super Eagles in a match that could help decide which team moves on to the semifinal round (goal differential) when it's all said and done in Group B.

Tahiti was clearly overmatched in this one and, even though there were some breaks that went Nigeria's way, a hat trick is special and should be recognized accordingly—no matter the opponent. 

With Uruguay on the horizon, Oduamadi needs to continue his strong play and evolve his game to take on a tougher opponent his next match out. 

Jonathan Tehau: C+

Tehau got the only Tahiti goal of the afternoon, but his own goal to give Nigeria a 4-1 lead ended any idea of a storybook comeback on Monday afternoon. 

He'll avoid a lower score after his epic goal—soon to be in Tahiti highlight films everywhere—but doesn't avoid the wrath of a "C" after ending the chance of a move to be made about the Minnows and the 2013 Confederations Cup. 

What's Next?

Upcoming Schedule (via FIFA.com)

Wednesday, June 19: Brazil vs. Mexico (Group A)

Wednesday, June 19: Italy vs. Japan (Group A)

Thursday, June 20: Spain vs. Tahiti (Group B)

Thursday, June 20: Nigeria vs. Uruguay (Group B)

Group Standings (via FIFA.com)

Follow Bleacher Report FC Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.