CAMEROON - CROATIA 0:4 (0:1)
World Cup, Group A.
Arena Amazonia, Manaus.
Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)
Goalkeeper: 0:1 - Olić (11'), 0:2 - Perišić (48'), 0:3 - Mandžukić (61'), 0:4 - Mandžukić (73')
Yellow cards: Eduardo (90')
Red card: Song (40')
Cameroon: Itandje, Assou-Ekotto, Matip, Nkoulou, Chedjou (46' Nounkeu), Mbia, Song, Enoh, Moukandjo, Aboubakar (70' Webo), Choupo Moting (75' Salli). Head coach: V. Finke.
Croatia: Pletikosa, Pranjić, Ćorluka, Lovren, Srna, Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić (78' Rebić), Sammir (72' Kovačić), Olić (69' Eduardo), Mandžukić. Head coach: N. Kovač.
Despite losing to Brazil in the World Cup opening match, Croatia managed to stay in contention for the second round, defeating Cameroon.
Similar to the Brazil match, Croatia took the lead in the 11th minute. Mandžukić was the target in the box, and Perišić found Olić to tap the ball in the net. Soon afterwards, Perišić and Olić came close from a scramble, while Perišić later tried a header.
Before the break, Cameroon went also a man down, with Song sent off in 40th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct against Mandžukić.
foto: Drago Sopta/HNS
Three minutes in the second half, Perišić's breakthrough on the left side made it 2:0, and Mandžukić immediately missed a golden opportunity. Cameroon showed some muscle with Nounkeu and Mbia missing the target, but it was Croatia that held the reins.
Captain Srna had the chance from a free-kick, and the third goal came after Pranjić's corner-kick in 61st minute and Mandžukić powerful header.
Mandžukić scored again 12 minutes later from a rebound, with Itandje stopping Eduardo's shot. The closing minutes offered a couple of chances for both teams, Rakitić's effort went just wide and Webo hit the crossbar.
On Monday, 23 June, Croatia plays Mexico. Another win would see Kovač's men securing a place in the next round.
SP, Group A:
1. Brazil 4 (3:1)
2. Mexico 4 (1:0)
3. Croatia 3 (5:3)
4. Cameroon 0 (0:5)
