Gold Cup 2019: Sunday Group Results; Latest Tables and Schedule
June 24, 2019
Group A of the 2019 Gold Cup draws to a close Sunday as Canada and Mexico look to secure berths in the knockout stage.
Mexico won its first two matches to move into first place prior to the final round of group fixtures, while Canada was second by virtue of goal difference ahead of Martinique. They'll be expected to maintain those positions based on their opponents Sunday.
Canada opened against Cuba, with Mexico taking on Martinique.
Here's a look at how the day unfolded.
Sunday Results
Canada def. Cuba, 7-0
Mexico def. Martinique, 3-2
Group A Standings
1. Mexico: 9 pts; +10 GD
2. Canada: 6 pts; +9 GD
3. Martinique: 3 pts; -2 GD
4. Cuba: 0 pts; -17 GD
Full group standings are available on the Gold Cup's official site
Monday Schedule
Bermuda vs. Nicaragua, 6:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Haiti vs. Costa Rica, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
Full Gold Cup schedule is available at the tournament's official site
Sunday Recap
Canada 7, Cuba 0
Jonathan David and Lucas Cavallini each had a hat trick as Canada rolled over Cuba 7-0.
Cuba had hardly any time to get settled before David put the Canadians ahead in the third minute. Junior Hoilett got in behind Cuba's defense and had plenty of time and space to find David running through the 18-yard box.
David's third goal came just as easily. He initiated the move by forcing a Cuban turnover. Hoilett took possession and waited until David was in position for what was effectively a tap-in.
David also scored in the 71st minute. Cavallini doubled Canada's lead in the 21st minute before adding goals in the 43rd minute and the first minute of first-half injury time. Along with his two assists, Hoilett got in on the scoring barrage, beating Cuban goalkeeper Sandy Sanchez in the 50th minute.
While the score was clearly one-sided, it could've been even worse for Cuba. Canada finished with 25 total shots and 14 shots on target.
TSN's Kelcey Brade noted Sunday's onslaught was a historic occasion for Canada:
KELCEY BRADE @KelceyBradeTSNComing into tonight ... No Canadian had ever recorded a hat-trick in a @GoldCup match. They now have 2. Lucas Cavallini & Jonathan David have each bagged 3 for Canada in this match. This marks the 1st time in #CANMNT history two Canadians have recorded hat-tricks in same game
Convincing wins over Cuba and Martinique don't reveal too much about Canada, which hasn't advanced past the Gold Cup quarterfinals since 2007. Coach John Herdman will hope his players saved some goals for the next round, especially if a matchup against Costa Rica instead of Haiti lies ahead.
Mexico 3, Martinique 2
Mexico secured the top spot in Group A with a 3-2 win over Martinique.
El Tri looked to be in the clear when Fernando Navarro scored in the 72nd minute to make it a 3-1 game.
However, Martinique got a goal back as Jordy Delem headed in a cross from Daniel Herelle in the 84th minute.
The idea that Martinique would make life difficult for Mexico wasn't surprising. The clear underdog, Mario Bocaly's side was always going to play defensively and force El Tri to navigate through a compact half of the pitch.
Although Mexico didn't allow another shot over the remainder of the game after Delem's goal and walked away with the three points, surrendering two goals to Martinique isn't what fans will have expected to see from the team.
"The right way of reading the game is that the performance was good, but we showed deficiencies and distractions," coach Tata Martino said of the victory, per ESPN FC's Tom Marshall.
Mexico doesn't return to action until Saturday, so Martino has some time to look at the entire group stage and evaluate what worked and what didn't. Mexico is likely to face Haiti as well, assuming Costa Rica wins Monday.
El Tri should have a clear path to the semifinal.