Mexico triumphed over a plucky Cameroon outfit this afternoon, with Oribe Peralta scoring the all important goal in a rain-drenched Arena das Dunas in Natal.
From the off
As expected, Oribe Peralta and Giovani dos Santos started as the Mexico strikers, leaving Manchester United ace, Chicharito, on the bench.
Cameroon’s main man and captain, Samuel Eto’o, lined up in a starting side that have scored less goals collectively than he has alone. With 56 goals in his impressive 17-year international career, the Chelsea striker will need to be on fire in this Cameroon team to finally emulate their success of Italia ’90.
The offside flag hogs the limelight
Mexico came out the blocks much stronger than Cameroon and dominated the opening exchanges, including a goal from Dos Santos that was incorrectly ruled offside by the officials. Cameroon netted their first opportunity but the flag was up again, this time the right decision.
Heavy rain continued to lash down, but the weather did nothing to nullify the end to end nature the game had taken on, with both sides coming very close to breaking the deadlock.
Thirty minutes in, Mexico were once again denied incorrectly by the linesman, when Dos Santos put another legitimate goal in, this time with his head. The official was possibly confused by a deflection on the ball but the touch came from Cameroon and the goal should have stood.
Second half and finally the officials allow a goal to stand!
It took an hour but eventually Mexico broke the stalemate through Liga MX star Peralta, pouncing on a loose ball with great striker’s instinct. There was no way to question or disallow this one and the game was finally off the mark.
Second half and finally the officials allow a goal to stand!
It took an hour but eventually Mexico broke the stalemate through Liga MX star Peralta, pouncing on a loose ball with great striker’s instinct. There was no way to question or disallow this one and the game was finally off the mark.
Cameroon rallied well, throwing all they had into finding an equalizer but eventually it wasn’t to be for the Africans. In stoppage time, Moukandjo came very close with a free header, but Ochoa saved and held onto it well.
Manchester United super-sub Chicharito had the final chance of the game, hitting a difficult finish over the bar from a great Miguel Layun cross. It wasn’t an easy one to put away but for a man so desperate to shed his image as an impact player from the bench, he needed to be more clinical.
Mexico v Cameroon match stats
Also See:
Mexico: World Cup 2014 Team Page
Cameroon: World Cup 2014 Team Page
World Cup 2014 Matches – Fixtures & Results
World Cup 2014 Player & Team Stats
World Cup 2014 Group Tables
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