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 - Mexico

The hosts Brazil starred in their second game, knowing victory would all but guarantee their progression into the last 16 of the competition. A progression that is highly expected. They faced fellow South Americans, Mexico in the Fortaleza cauldron. It was an emotional affair, with Neymar breaking into tears during a rousing rendition of the Brazil national anthem.

Brazil’s golden boy, Neymar was involved in the thick of the action, sambaing around Mexican defenders. He was also on the end of a few opportunities. Dani Alves found his Barcelona team mate but Ochoa threw himself across the goal to produce a famous save from Neymar’s goal bound header. It was a sign of things to come.

Mexican Goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa

Brazil continued to pepper the Mexicans goal but Ochoa, who is without a club having left French club Ajaccio, was more than a match for efforts from Paulinho, Neymar and David Luiz.

Mexico were not afraid to attack either though. Peralta, Hector Herrea and Vazquez all came close. Julio Cesar tipped one over the bar. Fred (yeah he was play) was soon replaced by ex-Manchester City striker after having an absolutely dreadful game. “The corner flag moved better than he did”. Jo provided a much better performance upon his entrance.

Neymar, and Brazil continued to threaten ‘El Tri’ after the break but they held firm. Ochoa made more fine saves, making good use of a rumoured extra finger on his right hand. This later turned out to be false. The Mexican made a point blank save from a thunderous header from Brazilian captain Thiago Silva. Either side and it would certainly have been a goal, but Ochoa still produced a fine save to thwart the powerful effort in the dying minutes of the second half.

Brazil found themselves with one more chance. Marcelo found himself in behind Aguilar in the penalty area but flung himself to the ground in the hope of winning a penalty, The referee waved play on and it was a wasted opportunity and disgraceful play by the Real Madrid man. It was behaviour that deserved a booking, at least.

The game ended in a stale 0 – 0, a result that won’t have pleased the Brazil nation.

 Brazil 0 - 0 Mexico 

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Mexico - Cameroon

It was end to end, it was fast, it was frantic, it was everything you want from a football match. The feisty Mexicans faced the strong Cameroonians in the second game of Group A. The rain poured out of the heavens, and made the pitch slick.  The Mexicans swarmed forward with pace at every opportunity, whilst the Cameroonians tried their best to support the lone pension Eto’o as much as they could, but to no avail.

The Mexicans were much better, as expected. Cameroon were dismal and could have been beaten more significantly, but the officials had other ideas. They ruled out two first half goals, for mexico. First dos Santos’ volley was judged to be offside but the replays showed otherwise. Feeling robbed, the Mexicans tried again and continued to press forward with intent looking to break the deadlock. Just a few minutes later Cameroon allowed the man with fantastic hair, Assou-Ekotto to whip in a few kick, up popped Chopou-Moting who stroked the ball into the net and wheeled away to celebrate. Unfortunately it was not to be for the Africans as Eto’o was deemed correctly to be offside. Two offside goals, that’s enough surely. But wait, there’s more. Dos Santos cursed his luck again, the former Spurs attacker nodded home from a corner, only for the officials to rule it out again, incorrectly after judging that the ball was headed on by a Mexican rather than a Cameroon player. The thousands of Mexican wrestlers in the crowd struggled to prevent themselves from giving the referee a 619. The rain continued to pour down. An appropriate pathetic fallacy for the Mexicans luck.

After halftime the Cameroonians came out looking for war, a few rather ferocious tackles went unpunished and wound up the Mexicans further. A few of them were ready to set the cartel on them, but justice was served and Mexico opened the scoring.

Oribe Peralta was the scorer. After a nice flowing Mexican move, Peralta slotted home from the rebound of Dos Santos’ shot after Charles Itandje, arguably the worst keeper at the games, judging by his performances for Liverpool a few years back, failed to hold. His coach Herrara went wild. Meanwhile at the other end, Cameroon superstar, Samuel Eto’o remained a lonely figure.

Obita Peralta sent Mexico loco

The rain continued to pour down, even harder than before, this time mocking Cameroon’s chances of winning the game – even harder than before.

Peralta, the goalscorer, was replaced by Mexico’s little pea, Javier Hernandez stepped off the bench, as the coach handed Peralta a celebratory taco (probably) and covered him in a rain poncho. Cameroon continued to be average but showed slight improvements and in the dying minutes forced Ochoa into an incredibly impressive acrobatic save from a header from Moukandjo. One for the cameras, of course from the flying Mexican.

And it finished 1-0, Mexico deserved to win, but by a far bigger margin. Cameroon could go home now. It won’t be worth their while playing the other two. They’ll be humiliated. Watch this space. Mexico can waltz away with their Mariachi bands.

Cameroon 0 – 1 Mexico 

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