Canada routs Cuba 12-0 in Women’s World Cup qualifying

EDINBURG: Adriana Leon and Jordyn Huitema each had four goals in Canada’s dominating 12-0 victory over Cuba on Monday night in the group stage of the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament.

Canada, ranked No. 5 in the world, needed a big result against No. 88 Cuba after Jamaica’s surprising 1-0 upset of Costa Rica earlier in the day in Group B at HEB Park.

Leon scored in the 11th, 23rd, 55th and 59th minutes, while Huitema scored in the 13th, 37th, 52nd and 71st minutes. Christine Sinclair, Deanne Rose, Rebecca Quinn and Diana Matheson also scored.

Matheson made her 198th appearance for Canada, while Sophie Schmidt earned her 175th cap.

Group A, which is playing in Cary, North Carolina, includes the defending World Cup champion United States. The top two finishers in each group advance to play in the semifinals in Frisco, Texas, next Sunday.

The top three finishers in the tournament earn spots in the Women’s World Cup in France next summer. The fourth-place finisher goes to a playoff against Argentina for a berth.

Group B play concludes on Thursday.