Lucas Cavallini and Jonathan David each scored a hat trick as Canada romped to a 7-0 win over Cuba in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday to seal their spot in the Gold Cup quarterfinals.
It marked the first time that two players have had hat tricks in the same game at the biennial tournament that crowns the continental champion of CONCACAF — the federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
David put Canada ahead in the fourth minute before Cavallini took over the Group A clash with a first-half hat trick against the already-eliminated Cubans.
Cavallini scored his first of the night in the 21st minute with a tap-in on the goal line after Cuba’s Jorge Kindelan tried to block a cross only to send the ball rebounding off the post.
Cavallini scored his second with a sublime finish in the 43rd minute after David passed into the box, and then his third two minutes later with a sliding effort converting an Alphonso Davies ball.
Shortly after Junior Hoilett scored to make it 5-0 in the 50th minute, Cavallini nearly had a fourth goal but his penalty in the 56th minute missed the target.
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David buried his second of the night from the top of the area in the 71st minute and then completed his hat trick in the 77th minute.
The win put Canada top of Group A but level on six points and goal differential with second placed Mexico.