Mexico make Gold Cup statement with Group C opening rout against Cuba

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:16 am
Oribe Peralta scored a hat trick as Mexico eased to a Gold Cup opening rout over Cuba.
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Oribe Peralta had a hat trick as Mexico dominated possession and shots on goal en route to a 6-0 win over a short-handed Cuba.

The scoring started for Mexico in the 17th minute when Peralta collected a loose ball at the top of the 6-yard box and put it past Cuba goalkeeper Disovelis Guerra.

Minutes later, fellow striker Carlos Vela controlled a poor clearance from Cuba and notched Mexico's second goal of the match from close-range.

Peralta added another in the 36th minute with a powerful strike that beat Guerra to the far post. Captain Andres Guardado headed home a deft Antonio Rios chip into the box in the 44th minute to give Mexico a 4-0 lead at the break.

Mexico continued to apply pressure in the second half, but were unable to break through initially.

In the 57th minute, Giovani Dos Santos came on for his brother Jonathan.

In the 62nd minute, Peralta scored his third of the match after several of his teammate's attempts were turned away and the No. 19 scored from close range again.

Carlos Vela scored the second of Mexico's six goals as his team cruised to a Gold Cup opening win.
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In the 71st minute, Vela played a nice ball over the Cuba defense to the far post and Giovani Dos Santos settled it and poked it home, but the goal was called back for offside.

Dos Santos scored again minutes later and this time it counted as the Mexico No. 10 controlled a long ball and blasted it home to the far post with his second touch to make it 6-0 Mexico.

Guillermo Ochoa, who rose to stardom at the 2014 World Cup, was rarely tested in the Mexico goal on his way to a clean sheet in the team's Group C opener.

Cuba played the game without seven regular players and their head coach. Six Cuba players and manager Raul Gonzalez Triana had logistical problems that reportedly prevented them from leaving Antigua after an Olympic qualifier. Striker Keiler Garcia left the team to defect on Wednesday morning.

The six-time Gold Cup winners were without central midfielder Gallito Vazquez, who was late scratch after sustaining an injury during warmups. He was replaced by Rios.

Mexico play their next Gold Cup match Sunday vs. Guatemala at 9 p.m. ET.