Mexico Vs. Cuba, Gold Cup (Copa Oro) 2011, Group A: Giovani Dos Santos, Javier Hernandez Score Two Goals Each; El Tri Wins 5-0

Both Chicharito and Giovani dos Santos scored a brace, with substitute striker Aldo de Nigris providing the other goal. Angel Reyna and Pablo Barrera, though they did not score, did plenty to contribute to Mexico’s attack as well, as they looked downright lethal for the final 60 minutes of the match.

Two straight slow starts will be a mild area of concern for Jose Manuel de la Torre going into his team’s game against Costa Rica, a much better team than their first two opponents, but he will be comforted by the knowledge that his team is absolutely unstoppable once they take a lead.

Mexico are shorthanded on the bench due to having five players sent home for failed drug tests, but expect to see Jesus Zavala and Aldo de Nigris in the second half, just like the El Salvador game. The two Monterrey players appear to be the first choice bench options for Jose Manuel de la Torre, and they should bring El Tri some fresh legs in the second half.

For more information on the Mexico Vs. Cuba game, the 2011 Gold Cup (Copa Oro), and Mexican football in general, check out SB Nation’s Mexican football blog FMF State Of Mind.

For more information on the Mexico Vs. Cuba game, the 2011 Gold Cup (Copa Oro), and Mexican football in general, check out SB Nation’s Mexican football blog FMF State Of Mind.

At the end of tonight’s Gold Cup match, Costa Rica celebrated as if they had just won a major tournament. Instead, they had simply scored a stoppage time equalizer against a team that they outmatch on pure talent. So much so, they decided to rest their best player, Bryan Ruiz. He only came into the game when the Ticos fell behind, but failed to make a major impact. Still, his team were able to find an equalizer against El Salvador to save face, finishing the game with a draw, the final score being 1-1.

In first half stoppage time, Rodolfo Zelaya scored on an absolutely spectacular 25 yard free kick, giving El Salvador a shock 1-0 lead. Costa Rica weren’t dominant in the first half, but they certainly were the much better team, as Alvaro Saborio in particular had a couple of great chances.

Mexico lineup (4-1-3-2): Talavera; Salcido, Moreno, Marquez (C), Juarez; Torrado; Guardado, Dos Santos, Barrera; Reyna, Chicharito.

Cuba lineup: Molina, Dranguet, Fernandez, Marquez, Joel Colome, Francisco, Hernandez, Jaine Colome (C), Cervantes, Gomez, Linares.

After 45 minutes of play in Charlotte, El Salvador hold a stunning halftime lead over favorites Costa Rica in their 2011 Gold Cup, Group A matchup. Costa Rica have been the better side for the majority of the half, but an absolutely stunning free kick goal by Rodolfo Zelaya has the Cuscatlecos ahead of the Ticos, 1-0 at halftime.

Zelaya scored the go-ahead goal just minutes before the stroke of halftime, hitting a stunning free kick from 25 yards out into the roof of the goal, giving Keylor Navas little chance of making a save.

Costa Rica vs. El Salvador - 7 pm ET

Mexico vs. Cuba - 9 pm ET

Costa Rica once again opt to leave ace striker Bryan Ruiz on the bench when faced with a far weaker opponent in El Salvador. El Salvador were demolished by Mexico during an astonishing second half in the their first game of the tournament, ultimately losing 5-0, and Costa Rica will go expecting to secure a similar result against the minnows.

They would do well, however, not to underestimate the threat that El Salvador posses - they did keep Mexico at bay for long periods of the match and unlike Mexico it’s not clear whether Costa Rcica have another gear to go into should their opponents prove trickier than expected. Losing (or possibly even drawing) here isn’t an option, so expect an open, exciting match.