📝 Mexico get dream Gold Cup start with easy win over Cuba | OneFootball

Looking for a statement win in their Gold Cup opener, Mexico got just what they needed with a 7-0 rout of Cuba at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

Mexico got off to a quick start when Uriel Antuna was able to tap in a ricocheted shot off the post to give El Tri the very early 1-0 lead in the 3rd minute.

Cuba was able to control the potent Mexican attack for about 30 minutes before the floodgates opened for the 7-time Gold Cup Champions.

Raul Jimenez opened his Gold Cup account in the 31st minute after dribbling past two Cuban defenders to make it 2-0 for El Tri.

Diego Reyes added a goal off a set piece in the 38th minute, and before the end of the first half, Antuna added his second of the night to give Mexico the commanding 4-0 lead heading into halftime.

Tata Martino’s men did not take the foot off the gas in the second half as the scoring continued for Mexico when Jimenez added his second of the game by sending a ball under the legs of Cuban goalkeeper Christian Sánchez. Alexis Vega added the first goal of his Mexico National Team career in the 75th minute.

Antuna put the nail on the coffin in the 80th minute when he turned on the wheels to beat two defenders to tap in his first hat trick for El Tri.

Player of the Match: Uriel Antuna (Mexico)

Although the Los Angeles Galaxy winger was a late addition to Martino’s roster, the 21-year-old took advantage of the situation and was able to be at the right place at the right time and earned his first hat trick for El Tri in just his 3rd appearance for the senior team. Antuna’s hat trick is the first for Mexico since 2015.