Uriel Antuna had a hat trick, Raúl Jiménez scored twice and top-seeded Mexico cruised to a 7-0 rout over Cuba on the opening day of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.
Antuna was a late addition to the roster after Jorge Sanchez was injured during a friendly last week. The 21-year-old LA Galaxy forward was making only his third appearance for the national team.
Antuna He opened the scoring in the third minute when Jiménez's shot hit the right post and he buried the rebound. He made it 4-0 in the 44th minute when goaltender Sandy Sanchez was caught out of position on a breakaway and completed the hat trick after Sanchez made another diving save but was unable to clear it for Mexico's final goal in the 80th minute.
Mexico midfielder Roberto Alvarado, top, and Cuba defender Yosel Piedra collide above the ball during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoRingo H.W. Chiu)
Jiménez — who plays for Wolverhampton in the Premier League — scored in the 31st and 64th minutes.
Diego Reyes and substitute Alexis Vega also scored for Mexico, which will face Canada on Wednesday in Denver.
Mexico outshot Cuba 30-3 and controlled possession 66 percent of the time. Cuba didn't record its first shot until the 66th minute.
Mexico forward Raúl Jimenez (9) celebrates his goal with defenders Jorge Sanchez (22) and Luis Rodriguez (21) during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Cuba in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoRingo H.W. Chiu)
Aricheell Hernandez had Cuba's best opportunity in the 80th minute, but the ball hit the top of the post.
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Mexico defender Jorge Sánchez (22) celebrates his goal against Cuba during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, June 15, 2019. (AP PhotoRingo H.W. Chiu)