Mexico forward Oribe Peralta (L) scores a goal against Cuba. (Photo : Reuters)
Mexico will face Guatemala in the second round of the 2015 Gold Cup Group C games at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Sunday.
Miguel Herrera's men faced an undermanned Cuban squad during their opener and did not disappoint with an unforgiving 6-0 rout of the Lions at Chicago's Soldier Field last Thursday, as reported by Fox Sports.
Club América striker Oribe Peralta accomplished a hat trick to lead the goal outpouring of the Mexicans over Leones del Caribe. He was backed up by a goal each from Carlos Vela, Andrés Guardado, and Jonathan dos Santos, and could have scored more if not for the early spell given by Herrera.
La Azul y Blanco suffered a 1-3 setback in the hands of Trinidad and Tobago as the Ivan Franco Sopegno's team cannot seem to shake off opening day nerves the whole match.
Guatemala was able to find new spirit in the second half, as per MLS Soccer's website, but could only score a lone goal the rest of the game courtesy of team captain Carlos Ruiz's homer in the hour mark.
El Tri is expected to perform as great versus the Guatemalan eleven as they try to clinch first place in Group C. Los Chapines does not have enough firepower to stay at par with the Azteca giants and would need a miracle to win the match.
Prediction: A 4-0 romp by the Mexicans. Guatemala is not playing in the same level as Mexico right now, but they could still find a way to the quarterfinal by beating Cuba on their last game of group eliminations.
Mexico starting lineup (4-2-2-2 formation): Ochoa; Aguilar, Rodríguez, Reyes, Layún; Rios, dos Santos; Herrera, Guardado; Vela, Peralta
Guatemala starting lineup (3-2-2-3 formation): Jerez; Lalín, Vásquez, Hernandez; Aparicio, Márquez; Herrarte, Cincotta; Ruiz, Contreras, Pappa
