SALVADOR, Brazil — Diego Forlan marked his 100th international appearance with a magnificent winning goal as Uruguay closed on the Confederations Cup semifinals by beating chief Group B rival Nigeria 2-1 here Thursday.



The 34-year-old completed a sweeping move in the 51st minute to score his 34th international goal, enabling him to reclaim the national scoring record from teammate Luis Suarez, who had equaled it in the 2-1 loss to Spain.



Captain Diego Lugano bundled Uruguay ahead in the 19th minute, only for Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi to equalize for Nigeria with a skilfully taken goal eight minutes before half-time.



Victory means group leader Spain, which thrashed minnows Tahiti 10-0 earlier in the day, must wait to confirm its place in the semifinals.



Nigeria and Uruguay will go into Sunday’s final group fixtures level on three points, but while Oscar Tabarez’s Uruguay is practically assured of victory over Tahiti, Stephen Keshi’s Nigeria is obliged to tackle the mighty Spain.



“We’re very satisfied. Ever since the draw, we knew this match was the most important match to play and we’ve made a huge step towards the semifinals,” said Uruguay coach Tabarez. “We’ve not reached the semifinals yet, but I think we’re on the way.”



Nigeria coach Keshi blamed the result on a lack of concentration that left Forlan unmarked for the decisive goal.



“I think my players played well and played to instructions,” he said. “It was just one minute’s lack of concentration that made the difference. Otherwise it was good.”



Nigeria enjoyed the lion’s share of support from a meager crowd, who made their way to Arena Fonte Nova despite widespread protests in Salvador over the alleged misallocation of government funds, but it was Uruguay who made the early running.



Despite a brief flurry of Nigerian attacks, it was Uruguay which broke the deadlock.



Forlan’s left-wing corner was cleared back to him and although his low cross lacked power and Edinson Cavani failed with an attempted back-heel at the near post, Lugano was on hand to scuff the ball home.



Nigeria equalized in the 37th minute. Mikel showed a striker’s instinct to evade Lugano with a subtle feint before stroking a left-foot shot into the top-left corner.



Nigeria began the second period just as gamely, but six minutes in, Forlan struck with a goal of luminous quality involving all three of Uruguay’s attacking stars.



Suarez advanced down the inside-right channel and knocked the ball inside to Cavani, who immediately swept a pass wide to Forlan, and the man of the hour watched the ball come across him before bludgeoning an emphatic left-foot shot past Enyeama.



In Rio de Janeiro, Spain won by a landslide as expected but tiny Tahiti emerged with its reputations enhanced and its dignity intact despite its 10-0 loss to the world and European champion.



Fernando Torres scored four times, and missed a penalty, David Villa hit three, David Silva two and Juan Mata one as Spain scored double figures for the third time in its history.



The outcome of one of the most unlikely matches to take place in a senior FIFA competition was never in doubt and even Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta said before the game his side’s chances of winning were “quite impossible.”— Agencies