Up next for Mexico is a tougher test against Canada on Tuesday night in Denver, while Cuba clash with Martinique. That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
Uriel Antuna steals the spotlight in just his third international appearance as he bags a hat-trick in a lopsided 7-0 win over Cuba, with Raul Jimenez adding a brace of his own, as Mexico open up their Gold Cup campaign in thrilling fashion in Pasadena.
90' FULL-TIME: MEXICO 7-0 CUBA.
89' ANOTHER SAVE FROM SANCHEZ! Antuna tries to catch him at the near post from a tight angle, but the keeper remains alert as he dives over to parry it behind.
A. Portal
K. Espino
87' A final Cuba change sees Espino give way for Portal.
86' SANCHEZ SAVES! Antuna is hungry for more! Cuba have really dropped their intensity as fatigue proves crippling for them at the back. Antuna is gifted a good look from 12 yards, but Sanchez reacts exceptionally well to parry and deny him a fourth!
84' Unlike Antuna, Jimenez departed without his hat-trick, but the striker had a hand in all five of Mexico's goals before being subbed off. Antuna and Reyes both converted rebounds stemming from Jimenez shots, and Antuna's second came on the end of a Jimenez ball across the face of goal. It's a real tough call for man of the match.
82' It's been a strong start to the MLS campaign for Antuna with LA Galaxy, and his performance tonight surely has to change Gerardo Martino's plans. He wasn't expected to play much of a part in this tournament, but injuries paved his path into the starting line-up tonight, and he's done everything in his power to stake a claim to a starting spot.
U. Antuna
Goal
80' ANTUNA COMPLETES HIS HAT-TRICK! In just his third appearance for Mexico, Antuna has his first international hat-trick as he turns in the rebound after Sanchez parried a Carlos Rodriguez strike straight into his path!
79' Mexico haven't scored seven goals in a Gold Cup match since an 8-0 win over Canada in 1993.
C. Montes
C. Salcedo
77' A final Mexico change sees Montes come into defence, with Salcedo giving way.
76' OFF THE BAR! Hernandez nearly nabs a consolation goal for Mexico as he lifts a tidy strike at goal from just over 20 yards that has Ochoa scrambling, but the keeper is relieved to see it bounce behind off the crossbar!
U. Antuna
Assist
74' Antuna has an assist to go with his two goals, as he unselfishly squared that ball for Vega, who simply couldn't miss.
A. Vega
Goal
74' THAT WAS FAST! It's 6-0 Mexico as Vega gets in on the fun less than two minutes after coming on, turning the ball into an empty net as Antuna played it across the face of goal for him after both men were played clean through behind the defence.
A. Vega
R. Jiménez
72' A thunderous applause rings out around the Rose Bowl and the Mexico substitutes get up to contratulate Jimenez as he's withdrawn for the final 20 minutes. Vega takes his place up top.
70' The Mexican wave has made its way to Pasadena! These El Tri supporters are really enjoying themselves and with the scoreline so lopsided, they've taken to some light-hearted choreography in the stands.
68' Cuba have lost all 17 of their previous Gold Cup matches against Concacaf’s ‘big three’ nations (Mexico, USA and Costa Rica), being outscored 66-6 in those contests.
A. Álvarez
L. Morris
66' And a second change for Cuba sees Alvarez replace Morris.
O. Pineda
R. Alvarado
65' Mexico go to the bench for the first time as Pineda replaces Alvarado.
C. Rodríguez
Assist
64' Carlos Rodriguez couldn't have played a better ball there, as the accuracy and weight on it were absolutely sublime,as he provides the assist.
R. Jiménez
Goal
64' JIMENEZ HAS HIS BRACE! His second goal makes it 5-0, as Carlos Rodriguez picks out a stunning throughball to play Jimenez in, and the striker makes no mistake as he finishes emphatically at the near post.
61' Guardado tries to get in on the act with a fierce strike from distance. He's more than capable of grabbing goals from far out, but he gets the contact wrong this time as he sends one high and wide of the far corner.
59' Mexico aren't attacking with as much vigor, content to knock the ball around inside the attacking half without the same urgency to get it towards goal.
D. Sáez
D. Morejon
57' A first change of the night for either side sees Cuba bring Saez on for his first international cap, replacing Morejon.
55' Antuna remains such a handful for this Cuba defence - the youngster bursting with energy. He hasn't stopped running tonight, both on and off the ball. His movement off of it has really helped to open up space for Jimenez as well.
53' Cuba have the worst winning percentage of the 21 nations to win at least one game in the competition’s history.
51' Despite the veteran Guardado standing over it, it's young Carlos Rodriguez who gets to take it, but his effort is straight at Sanchez who punches clear.
50' Carlos Rodriguez is caught late on the edge of the area, and he's going to need a bit of treatment. Mexico will have a great look from the ensuing free-kick once this delay is over.
48' The second half begins much like the first half ended, with Mexico on the front foot looking for goals. Cuba have just had no answer to the width El Tri are coming forward with.
46' Cuba get the second half underway! No changes for either side at the interval.
It remains to be seen whether or not Mexico will take their foot off the gas in the second half, as they have little else to prove as a team. There are a number of individuals looking to claim starting spots, however, so it's possible they keep coming in waves.
Uriel Antuna and Raul Jimenez have Mexico cruising at the break in Pasadena. It took less than two minutes for El Tri to open the scoring and they never looked back, applying relentless pressure against a Cuba side that will consider themselves lucky not to be further behind, with Sandy Sanchez putting in some impressive work in goal.
45' HALF-TIME: MEXICO 4-0 CUBA.
U. Antuna
Goal
44' HOW ABOUT ANOTHER?! The fun continues for Mexico, as Antuna has his second international goal, and his second of the night, courtesy of a breakdown in the Cuba defence as the ball isn't dealt with in the six-yard box and Antuna pounces to lift a finish into the roof of the net!
43' SLICED WIDE! Carlos Rodriguez just barely misses a chance for his first international goal, picked out all alone at the edge of the penalty area on the end of Alvarado's pull-back, but he sends his first-time strike agonisingly wide of the top corner!
41' Mexico were beating Cuba 4-0 at half-time in their last Gold Cup meeting in 2014.
L. Morris
Yellow Card
39' Morris arrives late and clatters through Guardado, sending the midfielder hard to the ground as he picks up a yellow card. Frustration understandably setting in for Cuba.
D. Reyes
Goal
38' IT'S THREE! Mexico add to their lead as Reyes gets a rare goal for his country - just his second in 61 appearances - as he turns in the rebound from six yards after Sanchez parried Jimenez's shot straight into the midfielder's path.
35' Into the final 10 minutes before the interval and Cuba desperately need a breather. Fatigue is surely setting in, having to do this much defending, and in this heat no less.
33' Sanchez makes another outstanding save from point-blank range, but this one is moot as the offside flag renders it pointless. Nonetheless, the Cuba keeper has been outstanding in this first half.
R. Jiménez
Goal
31' MEXICO HAVE THEIR SECOND! It's 2-0 and it was only a matter of time, really. Quick, incisive passing from Mexico sees them carve through the heart of the Cuba defence as Jimenez is presented with the ball on the edge of the penalty area, turns inside and drives a cool finish beyond Sanchez.
30' Mexico are unbeaten in their last eight group stage matches at the Gold Cup (W5, D3), dating back to a 2-1 defeat to Panama in 2013.
28' Mexico are just starting to force things a bit, perhaps growing a little frustrated that they still haven't found a second goal. Everyone is forward for them, and looking at the black shirts back in defence you have to think Cuba could really get a good look if they could find a way to counter.
26' Cuba showing a bit of fight back here, and to their credit they've done immensely well to keep this scoreline at 1-0 given the pressure they've been under and how poorly they started.
24' A very rare chance at the other end as Cuba win a corner, and the ball runs all the way through for Lopez at the far post, but he just can't sort himself out to get a touch! A foul is called anyways, perhaps sparing his blushes. Back the other way come Mexico and Jimenez appears to be through on goal, but the offside flag is raised.
22' LIFTED OVER! Great pressing from Mexico as they push forward and win the ball back high up the pitch. The ball is immediately played up for Jimenez, who turns and bends an effort just over the bar from the edge of the penalty area!
20' Cuba’s minus-68 all-time goal difference at the Gold Cup is the worst in the competition’s history.
18' Mexico's complete dominance has allowed them to get their full-backs so far forward that they're basically playing as wingers. It's almost like a three-man defence for them with Reyes dropping deeper with the two centre-backs when they're in possession, and the likes of Gallardo and Luis Rodriguez playing very high up the pitch.
16' HOW HAS HE SAVED THAT?! Luis Rodriguez makes a lovely run on the overlap into all sorts of space, before pulling the ball back smartly for Gallardo, who shoots first-time from the edge of the penalty area. His effort takes a deflection en route, but Sanchez somehow manages to react, diving back to his left to save it off the line!
14' TERRIFIC BLOCK! Outstanding piece of defending there from Piedra, who dives across and gets his foot to Gallardo's strike from 10 yards! The full-back though he had a clean look at goal before Piedra scampered across to deny him.
12' Cuba have managed to settle things down a bit at least keeping Mexico at arm's length over the last few minutes, as El Tri knock the ball around in their own half.
10' Mexico have won their last two games over Cuba by a combined 11-0.
8' INCHES WIDE! Jimenez does well to creep in front of his marker Martinez and get onto the end of Luis Rodriguez's cross from six yards, but just heads beyond the near post! That had 2-0 written all over it.
6' This is shaping up to be a long, long night for Cuba. There's been plenty of questions surrounding Mexico and their absentees coming into the tournament, but those who came to play have REALLY come to play here. They have a point to prove and they're running riot early on.
4' SHOULD BE TWO! That absolutely should have been in the back of the net! Sanchez swipes at a free-kick and gets it all wrong as he knocks it straight to Jimenez, who lifts the ball back into the box for Reyes, but the midfielder heads wide from point-blank range!
U. Antuna
Goal
2' THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG! Mexico lead 1-0 inside of two minutes! Antuna is in the right place at the right time to turn home the opening goal from a yard out after Jimenez's initial effort smacked off the post, on the end of a delightful cross from Gallardo!
1' AND THEY'RE OFF! Mexico in black as they get the match underway, with Cuba in white.
SUBS: Eller Pozo, Nelson Johnston, Erick Rizo, Alejandro Portal, Maykel Reyes, Anibal La Pera, Daniel Luis, Jean Carlos Rodriguez, Reynaldo Perez, Jorge Kindelan, Roberney Caballero.
CUBA (5-4-1): Sandy Sanchez; Daniel Morejon, Yasmani Lopez, Yosel Piedra, Karel Espino, Lionis Martinez; Aricheell Hernandez, Lionis Martinez, Andy Baquero, Rolando Abreu; Luis Paradela.
SUBS: Jonathan Orozco, Hugo Gonzalez, Edson Alvarez, Jonathan Dos Santos, Orbelin Pineda, Luis Montes, Alexis Vega, Hector Moreno, Erick Gurierrez, Cesar Montes, Fernando Navarro, Rodolfo Pizarro.
MEXICO (4-3-3): Guillermo Ochoa; Luis Rodriguez, Carlos Salcedo, Nestor Araujo, Jesus Gallardo; Carlos Rodriguez, Diego Reyes, Andres Guardado; Uriel Antuna, Roberto Alvarado, Raul Jimenez.
Cuba coach Raul Mederos has unsurprisingly elected to play with a back five, but it figures to be more like a back nine with just about everyone expected to play behind the ball as Luis Paradela faces a tough ask up top.
Flanking him are young LA Galaxy winger Uriel Antuna, who earns just his second cap, and 20-year-old Roberto Alvarado. Monterrey's Carlos Rodriguez earns a surprise start in midfield, where he is joined by the experienced Andres Guardado and Diego Reyes. Carlos Salcedo is preferred at centre-back as he partners Nestor Araujo, with Hector Moreno on the bench.
Cuba are back in the tournament after failing to qualify in 2017, and they're coming off a resounding performance in the Concacaf Nations League, but this step up in competition has historically proven too much for Cuba, and there's no reason to believe 2019 will be any different.
Of course regardless of any star power missing from the squad, pressure from back home means anything but a tournament win will not be tolerated. They looked good in tune-up victories over Venezuela and Ecuador, and should have another opportunity to work out the kinks in tonight's opener against Group A's minnows.
While the likes of Miguel Layun, Hector Herrera, Giovani dos Santos, Hirving Lozano, Javier Hernandez and Jesus Manuel Corona will all be watching this tournament from home, there’s still a strong enough core in place for them to make a serious run at glory, especially with USA looking weaker than they have in years.
A depleted Mexico squad head north to the United States without a number of household names, leaving typically dominant El Tri with their work cut out for them if they are to return to the top of Concacaf.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of this Gold Cup match as Mexico clash with Cuba at the famous Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California!
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