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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