Tahiti were handed a harsh introduction to the Confederations Cup as African champions Nigeria inflicted a 6-1 defeat on the minnows Monday . But the team from the South Pacific at least had the consolation of scoring a memorable first goal in a senior FIFA competition to the delight of the crowd in the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte . Trailing 3-0 in the 54th minute , a corner was met by Jonathan Tehau , who headed home emphatically . It was no more than Tahiti deserved for a spirited display and they celebrated in trademark style by forming a circle and pretending to use canoe paddles . But 15 minutes later , Tehau , one of three brothers in the squad , then undid his heroics by turning Nigeria 's fourth past his own goalkeeper . Nnamdi Oduamadi went on to complete his hat-trick for the Super Eagles and Uwa Echiejile grabbed his second to complete the rout , but even at the final whistle all the plaudits were for Tahiti and they went of a lap of honor . The tiny nation of less than 200,000 people had qualified for the Confederations Cup by winning the Oceania Nations Cup , beating the might of New Caledonia in the final after favorites New Zealand had exited at the semifinal stage . Boasting only one full time professional , few had given them much of a chance against Nigeria , who have a population of over 160 million and have a clutch of players from leading European clubs . Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta and his players showed visible signs of emotion as their national anthem was played -- each of them with flowers around their neck -- a national custom . Nigeria had arrived late on Sunday for the competition , reportedly as a result of a dispute of bonus payments , and despite the scoreline , would have left coach Stephen Keshi with some concerns . Tahiti immediately took the game to them , but Nigeria went ahead after just five minutes due to a huge slice of fortune as Echiejile 's shot took a big deflection off Nicolas Vallar before finding its way into the net . Oduamadi scored two more before halftime , but at the other end Tahiti also had opportunities . Tehau 's goal was undoubtedly the highlight but the 138th ranked team in the world will have their work cut out with further Group B fixtures against world champions Spain and Copa America winners Uruguay . Etaeta told the official FIFA website that his team 's first appearance on the international stage had been a dream come true . `` I was deeply moved , almost crying . We watch World Cups on TV . Today we were actors . Tahiti was watching . Our president sent us a message and suspended a cabinet meeting for it . '' Spain won their opener against Uruguay 2-1 Sunday and play Tahiti Thursday in the Maracana Stadium in Rio . Uruguay and Nigeria also meet then in a match likely to decide second spot in the group . Keshi knows they will need to improve on their display in the opener . `` It was a little bit difficult to up our game , '' he told AFP . `` When you know you 're playing against , with all due respect , the Tahiti team , you think everything 's easy . They showed us that they can play football . Congratulations to them . '' Brazil , Mexico , Japan and Italy make up Group A of a tournament which is contested every four years by the winners of FIFA 's six confederations , plus the hosts and the reigning World Cup champions .
Brazil beat Tahiti 6 - 1 in Group B opener at Confederations Cup . Nnamdi Martins scores a hat - rick in Alto ##na . 138th - ranked Tahiti reply through Jonathan Tehau . South American nations next play world champions Spain in Barcelona .