HOUSTON, Texas – Guadeloupe took a 4-1 win over Cuba in Group D of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Guadeloupe have four points from the first two games in their quest for a first Gold Cup quarterfinal since 2009, while Cuba are fourth in the group with zero points.
Matthias Phaeton opened the scoring with a mid-range blast into the top left corner in the 13’ minute. The opportunity came off a Cuba throw-in that was intercepted by Les Gwada Boys into a scoring opportunity just outside the box.
The Cuba offense generated some dangerous chances of its own, with Aricheell Hernandez having a good look in the 20’, Maykel Reyes in the 27’, and Willian Pozo in the 28’, but neither could break Guadeloupe goalkeeper Davy Rouyard.
Ange Plumain extended the lead for Guadeloupe in the 41’ with a shot of his own just outside the half-oval. It marked his first international goal after obtaining his first assist in the Prelims.
Phaeton picked up a second goal on the night in the 43’ with another mid-range laser, this one going to the lower left corner. It was his third goal in the Gold Cup group stage, all of which have coincidentally come at the same stadium in Houston.
Anthony Baron brought the spectacular to score his first Gold Cup goal with a spin move inside the box to score in the 51’ and make it a four-goal lead at 4-0.
Cuba was able to cut the deficit after earning a penalty. Aricheell Hernandez stepped up to the spot to convert with a clean strike in the 63’ to score Cuba’s first goal in a Gold Cup group stage encounter since the 2015 tournament.
Aldair Ruiz was given a red card in the 89’ and will miss Cuba’s next encounter against Canada.
The match marked the first time the two nations met at the Gold Cup. It is also Guadeloupe’s first group stage victory since July 9, 2009, coincidentally also in Houston, though it took place at NRG Stadium.
