Guadeloupe surges to top of Group D with dominant win over Cuba
(image via TUDN)
On a scorching hot night at Shell Energy Stadium, Guadeloupe brought the fire in their attack, scoring four goals to beat Cuba 4-1. The win moves Guadeloupe to the top of Group D with Canada and Guatemala still to play tonight.
Mathias Phaeton opened the scoring with a stunning effort from outside the box. The Grenoble striker took a touch and then unleashed a right-footed rocket into the top corner to make it 1-0 in the 13th minute.
Guadeloupe doubled their lead with another screamer from outside the box. This time it was Ange-Freddy Plumain who took a touch and then smashed the ball into the side netting. The goal gave Guadeloupe a 2-0 lead after 41 minutes.
Phaeton bagged his brace just two minutes later, in the 43rd minute, to give Guadeloupe a 3-0 lead. The striker was teed up outside the box again and this time he went the low route, beating Cuba goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena to his right.
Guadeloupe came out for the second half and put the game to bed in spectacular fashion. Anthony Baron picked up the ball at the top of the box then spun around two Cuban defenders before slotting his shot in at the far post. After 50 minutes, Guadeloupe was in complete control, up 4-0.
Cuba would pull a goal back from the penalty spot, with captain Aricheell Hernandez scoring in the 62nd minute. The Cubans nearly had a second but after VAR took a look, the goal was called off for offside.
Guadeloupe would go on to see the match out, winning 4-1. The three points puts them atop Group D with four points from two matches and a plus three goal difference. Cuba is now winless in both their matches. Canada and Guatemala will play the night cap, looking to keep pace with Guadeloupe. Group D will conclude on Tuesday with Canada playing Cuba and Guadeloupe taking on Guatemala.
