WORLD CUP: Croatia send 10-man Cameroon home
World Cup with a comfortable 4-0 win in their
Group A clash at the Arena da Amazonia in
Manaus.
Ivica Olic sent Croatia on their way with an
early opener before Alex Song was shown a
straight red card before half-time following a
punch on Mario Mandzukic.
Croatia made their numerical advantage count
in the second half with Ivan Perisic doubling
their lead early in the second half before
Mandzukic helped himself to a quick-fire
brace to send Cameroon crashing out of the
tournament.
The win moves Croatia level on points with
Brazil and Mexico as the three sides battle to
qualify for the knockout stages.
Croatia play Mexico next Monday with a place
in the knockout stages at stake, while
Cameroon are out ahead of their clash with
Brazil.
Their frustrations appeared to boil over when
Benoit Assou Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo
had a dispute on the field, with the full-back
perhaps fortunate to avoid a sending off for an
apparent headbutt on his team-mate.
Cameroon were without talisman Samuel Eto'o
due to a knee injury, while Croatia had striker
Mandzukic available again following his
suspension for his dismissal in the play-off
with Iceland last November.
Cameroon were soon behind when they failed
to clear Darijo Srna's cross towards
Mandzukic.
Perisic had the composure to deliver a finely-
weighted diagonal pass across the area for
Olic to simply tap in.
Croatia took control of the contest and were
given a numerical advantage when Song
struck Mandzukic on the back as Croatia
began an attack, with referee Pedro Proenca
showing no hesitation in brandishing a red
card.
Cameroon's woes deepened within three
minutes of the restart as the impressive
Perisic struck.
Itandje's poor clearance found the Croatia
midfielder, who surged down the left,
outpacing the Cameroon defence, before
executing a simple finish.
Mandzukic should have netted a third after
being played in, but Nicolas Nkoulou applied
enough pressure to put off the striker, who
scooped his effort wide.
Half-time substitute Dany Nounkeu attempted
a spectacular volley which flew well over as
Cameroon tried to respond.
A Srna free-kick from the edge of the area
went over before Danijel Pranjic's outswinging
corner from the left was met by Mandzukic
who was unchallenged as he headed the ball
down and into the net.
Stephane Mbia shot narrowly over from long
range before substitute Eduardo saw his shot
saved weakly by goalkeeper Itandje.
The ball was parried to Mandzukic who tapped
in.
Moukandjo spurned the chance of a
consolation with five minutes remaining,
curling wide with the Croatia goal gaping.
Ivan Rakitic fluffed an opportunity for a fifth at
the other end before Pierre Webo's header
bounced up and clear off the bar following
Assou Ekotto's cross.
Assou Ekotto and Moukandjo squabbled in the
aftermath, with the former throwing his head
towards his team-mate in the closing
moments in an unsavoury conclusion to the
contest.
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