Matthias Phaeton scored twice in the first half to help Guadeloupe cruise to a 4-1 win over Cuba in Group D action at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston on Saturday.
Phaeton tallied in the 13th minute and again in the 43rd as Guadeloupe took a 3-0 lead into halftime. Ange Plumain scored in the 41st minute for Guadeloupe.
Anthony Baron’s goal in the 51st minute made it a near insurmountable lead.
Aricheell Hernandez finally scored for Cuba in the 63rd minute to complete the scoring. Cuba’s Aldair Ruiz was sent off with a red card in the 88th minute.
Cuban keeper Raiko Arozarena made four saves. Cuba won the possession battle, 57 percent to 44 percent. But Guadeloupe put eight shots on goal to Cuba’s two.
Guadeloupe improved to 1-0-1 while Cuba falls to 0-0-2.
In a late game at Houston, Canada and Guatemala played to a scoreless draw. Guatemala, which defeated Cuba 1-0 on Tuesday, has a 1-0-1 record in Group D, while Canada has two draws after tying Guadeloupe 2-2 on Tuesday to rank third in the group standings.
Guatemala goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen made three saves, while his counterpart, Milan Borjan, made two for Canada. The possession battle went to Canada, 56 percent to 44 percent, while Guatemala registered more shots (11-9).
The Canadians had more fouls (12-11) and yellow cards (5-1).
Guatemala faces Guadeloupe on Tuesday in Harrison, N.J., and Canada and Cuba play the same day in Houston.
–Field Level Media
