Brilliant Mexico cruises to easy 7-0 win over Cuba
Mexico opens up the Gold Cup with a brilliant display of play and devours Cuba in a 7-0 win.
What can we take out from an easy win for Mexico in front of 65,527 fans at the Rose Bowl? As simple as all that, the composure Mexico showed throughout the game – especially the first 20 minutes – when Cuba neither pressed nor attacked, instead sitting back in a soft zone hoping to prevent a big loss. But at the end of the night, the score favored Mexico highly.
El Tri introduced a few changes in the starting lineup: Diego Reyes as holding midfielder, Carlos Salcedo in central defense for the injured Hector Moreno. But the biggest surprise was Uriel Antuna, who contributed three goals and an assist. Antuna was the last player to make the cut for Gerardo Martino (after Moreno’s injury forced him off the roster).
Antuna scored the first goal at just 2 minutes of the game after a flick-on by Raul Jimenez bounced off the post, but that was not the last time Antuna was heard of. Mexico scored four goals before the half, including one by Jimenez in minute 31 from after a filtered pass by Andres Guardado a veteran player who enjoyed a good performance.
The team appears to have improved at set plays under Martino too. In minute 38, Guardado sent in a corner kick that Jimenez got a foot too, sending it low toward the goalkeeper who spilled it in front of net. Diego Reyes was there to tap it home.
Just before the half Jimenez delivered a cross inside the box that was deflected by a Cuban defender. Antuna raced in to knock home his second of the night. Cuba only had one deep offensive possession (in minute 22) and it produced a corner kick that was no problem for keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
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The second half was an encore. Goal No. 5 came from Jimenez in minute 64 from a through pass by Carlos Rodriguez. The Wolves striker made no mistake, blasting the ball past Cuba’s goalie, Sandy Sanchez. With two goals already, Jimenez was taken off shortly thereafter and his replacement, Alexis Vega, scored just 2 minutes later to give Mexico a 6-0 lead. Sub Orbelin Pineda sent Antuna behind the defense on the right side, and the L.A. Galaxy star fed Vega for an easy score.
Many thought maybe Mexico would take their foot off the pedal, but Cuba was vulnerable and demoralized. Antuna got his hat trick in minute 80. Seven goals for El Tri and a clean sheet for Ochoa.
Critics might not be satisfied or might find bits and pieces to dissect this easy win for Mexico, but in my opinion, Mexico was brilliant. Mexico was superior across the board and dominated, showing good chemistry. With all the problems prior to the Gold Cup (missing players, injuries), El Tri showed that they have talent to spare.
The “big” test will be Wednesday night when Mexico faces Canada, a 4-0 winner versus Martinique. But Mexico shows they still believe they are the top dog in Concacaf and a win over Canada will reinforce that claim.