Solomon Islands came from behind to beat Vanuatu 7-2 in Papeete and secure a place in the final of the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Nations Cup 2026 against hosts Tahiti.

It was the four-time champions' second win of the tournament, but they had to recover from a shock start. Batis Alick put Vanuatu ahead inside four minutes with a close-range finish.

Max Fa'ari equalised with a scrambled finish before Roy Mafane struck into the top corner to complete the turnaround and give Solomon Islands the lead at the first break.

Albert Bobby made it three with a direct free kick past Vanuatu goalkeeper Sterry Tor, and Apolos Ahua added a fourth five minutes later. Charlie Otainao, named player of the match, scored the fifth with a direct free kick low into the corner.

Alick replied almost immediately from the kick-off for his second of the match, but Remsy Melo scored twice in two minutes to settle the result.

Vanuatu: 2 (Batis ALICK 4', 24')

Solomon Islands: 7 (Max FA'ARI 8', Roy MAFANE 9', Albert BOBBY 15', Apolos AHUA 20', Charlie OTAINAO 24', Remsy MELO 31', 32')

In the day's second match, defending champions Tahiti beat New Caledonia 12-3. Heirauarii Salem scored four and Ro'onui Tinirauarii three.

Salem's goals took him past Solomon Islands head coach James Naka as the all-time leading goal scorer in OFC beach soccer history, the Oceania Football Confederation said. He drew level with Naka's record early in the second period and went ahead of it when he completed his hat-trick from a penalty.

Heimanu Taiarui opened the scoring after two minutes and Salem quickly added his first. Daniel Tagawa pulled one back for New Caledonia before Tinirauarii volleyed in his first, set up by Raimana Li Fung Kuee.

Tearii Labaste made it five and Gervais Chan Kat's effort was deflected in for an own goal. Rainui Tze-Yu scored his first of the campaign, and Labaste forced a second own goal straight after the restart.

Renaldo Teiva Nonmeu pulled a goal back for New Caledonia, Tinirauarii completed his hat-trick, and Ménié Gope-Iwate scored late before Salem finished with his fourth and Tahiti's 12th.

Tahiti: 12 (Heimanu TAIARUI 2', Heirauarii SALEM 7', 15', 20' (P), 35', Ro'onui TINIRAUARII 10', 26', 29' (P), Tearii LABASTE 18', Own Goal 20', 25', Rainui TZE-YU 23')

New Caledonia: 3 (Daniel TAGAWA 9', Renaldo Teiva NONMEU 25', Ménié GOPE-IWATE 35')

Solomon Islands and Tahiti jointly hold the record of four titles each, and both are chasing a fifth. The winner qualifies for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2027.