Mexico issues warning to Gold Cup rivals by crushing Cuba

Can Mexico be stopped?

El Tri began its Gold Cup campaign Saturday with an ominous 7-0 bashing of Cuba.

Uriel Antuna, a late injury replacement in the squad, scored three times from close range, Raul Jimenez notched a double, and Diego Reyes and Alexis Vega bagged a goal apiece in front of 65,527 people at the Rose Bowl.

Mexico was expected to win - Cuba is 175th in FIFA's world rankings - but did so with a level of professionalism and ruthlessness that is sure to concern its rivals for the Gold Cup, such as the United States and Canada.

The strength in depth of Gerardo "Tata" Martino's squad was demonstrated in Antuna's hat-trick. The LA Galaxy loanee was a late call-up following Jorge Sanchez's injury but staked a claim for regular international minutes with a treble and an assist.

All of Antuna's goals were rewards for his poaching. Jimenez, meanwhile, recorded a brace which showed why he is such a feared forward in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mexico faces Canada - which recorded a 4-0 victory over Martinique earlier in the day - in Denver on Wednesday.