Cameroon - Croatia

A must win game for both sides if they are to progress beyond the group stage. Brazil’s earlier draw with Mexico showed that they weren’t the irresistible force people may have thought before the beginning of the tournament. Cameroon are the real underdogs of the group, the unfavoured, and they were missing star man, ex-Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o. Croatia knew that a win against Cameroon and Mexico is a must having been defeated by Brazil in their opening game as Mexico picked up four points in their two games.

Croatia were boosted by the return of Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic who missed the opening game against Brazil through suspension. But it was former Munich striker that grabbed the opening goal. Ivica Olic sneaked in at the back post to latch onto Perisic’s through ball after just 11 minutes. It was all downhill from there for the Africans.

Alexander Song let his country down when he through an elbow into Mandzukic’s back as the Croatia tried to start a counter attack. Unfortunately for the fiery Barcelona midfielder the referee saw his off-the-ball antics and reduced the Indomitable Lions to 10 men just minutes before half time.

Song elbows Mandzukic before receiving a red card

With Song off, Croatia found their voice and their star midfielders, Modric and Rakitic were able to control proceeding in the space left vacant by Song. Within 3 minutes of the restart Croatia had double their lead.

Perisic collected a poor clearance from ex-Liverpool stopper Charles Itandje and broke down the left wing leaving defender, and half time substitute Dany Nounkeo in his wake before smashing past the vulnerable Itandje at his near post.

Mandzukic then got off the mark, and put himself in the shop window with many believing his time in Munich is up. An outswinging corner from Pranjic was met powerfully by the big Croat forward, leaving Itandje picking the ball out of his net for the third time. The three goal lead allowed Croatia to freshen things up and rest a few key players, such as the inspiring Perisic who was a threat all night, as was Olic, who was replaced by Eduardo, once of Arsenal.

Mandzukic finished off proceedings reacting first to Eduardo’s shot that was spilled by Itandje to the feet of Croatia’s number 17. He happily slotted it home. Itandje should really have been doing better with that effort though.

The drama was not over for Cameroon as the pineapple-haired Assou Ekotto threw a head butt at team mate Moukandjo in the closing moments to round things off. Eto’o was seen calming Assou Ekotto in the tunnel at the end of the game to prevent a major World Cup inter squad fall-out.  

 Cameroon 0 – 4 Croatia 

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Brazil - Croatia

How dull was that opening ceremony? So, so dull. For a country with such a carnival atmosphere it was disappointing. Anyway, I'm here to talk about the football. Brazil v Croatia; the opening game of the 2014 World Cup.

It was clear from kick off that Croatia were not going to go all out attack. They sat off the Brazilians, and allowed them to have the ball. Going toe-to-toe with the hosts was not going to have the outcome they desired. Niko Kovac opted to play on the counter, drawing in the Brazilians and then releasing Olic and Perisic on the gung-ho minded Brazil defence. Their two centre midfielders, Modric and Rakitic are their star men and play at the very highest level. Modric for Real Madrid and Rakitic just signed for rivals Barcelona. They had the quality to pick out the spaces left behind by Marcelo, David Luiz and Dani Alves, all who love to maraud forward. It worked to great success in the beginning, as the Croats broke down the left with Olic numerous times and this is also where their goal came from. Rakitic laid it off to Olic, he broke down the left wing and his low cross found Jelavic whose weak shot went through the legs of David Luiz and bounced off the unlucky Marcelo into Julio Cesar’s net. Defeat for the hosts and favourites on opening day? Surely not.

The rigidity of the Croatian tactics and formation required Brazil to be patient. David Luiz and Thiago Silva patiently played the ball along the half way line while Croatia stationed all 11 men inside their own half, and rarely pressed. Despite Niko Kovac’s pre-match press conference stating that ‘Croatia won’t park the bus’, he did.

Unfortunately the Croatian bus wasn't locked and the Brazilians got in. Neymar, the host’s poster boy and shining light, repeatedly found space despite the tight Croatian set-up and eventually he popped up with the equaliser. Although he was lucky to still be on the pitch after an elbow on the baby-faced Modric. Neymar danced in to the space between Croatia’s midfield and defence. He skipped away from Perisic and let fly. His left footed drive bobbled awkwardly before glancing off Pletikosa’s post and into the net. The stadium exploded, the fans went mad and the players let out a huge sigh of relief after opening their account. Neymar stepped up when his country needed him, and the carnival began.

Neymar, Brazil's saviour

He stepped up again, this time to hit a controversially awarded penalty after Lovren was punished for allegedly bundling the burly Fred to the ground in the penalty area. At this stage the game was a bit more open which suited the Brazilians. Neymar slotted the spot kick to his left. Pletikosa guessed right and got a hand to it, but it still ended up in his net. He should have done a lot better, but his chocolate wrists melted in the pressure.

Croatia scored again! But the Japanese official ruled it out for a foul by Olic on Cesar. It was soft, it was wrong. The referee bottled it. The Croats had every right to feel aggrieved but they continued to pile on the pressure firing men forward. Brazil sent on Ramirez for Neymar to help weather the storm, and it proved effective.

Ramirez nicked the ball off Modric in the dying minutes and set free young Oscar who toe-poked it in to make it 3 – 1 to the home country. The samba was in full flow. Pletikosa should maybe have been expected to do better with that too, he must of had his eye on a busty Brazilian beauty. 

The referee ended it soon after. A final score of 3 – 1 seems harsh on Croatia as the game was much tighter than it suggests, Brazil escaped unscathed, but there were some worrying signs that could be exploited by better teams. Especially if the referee doesn't have a Brazil shirt on too. 

Brazil 3 - 1 Croatia 

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