After a passionate meeting between Spain and Chile in Group B on Thursday night, the second meeting of Group A took place, where the national teams of Cameroon and Croatia clashed.
From the first minutes of the match, the teams went head-to-head. Cameroon's footballers attacked more and controlled the ball in the first half, but it was the Croatians who managed to score a goal.
In the 11th minute, veteran Ivica Olic scored from close range after a pass from Ivan Perisic.
The Cameroonians, coached by Volker Finke, made their situation even more complicated in the 40th minute. Alex Song was sent off for a foul on Mario Mandzukic.
In the second half, the Croatians took control. Niko Kovac's players doubled their lead in the 48th minute, when Ivan Perisic, sprinting down the left side, sent the ball past Charles Itandje in the Cameroon goal.
In the 61st minute, the score became 3-0. After a corner kick, forward Mario Mandzukic scored with a header.
Bayern Munich player Mandzukic left the field with a double on his account. He scored his second goal in the 73rd minute after the ball fell to his feet following Eduardo's shot, leaving Mandzukic to easily score into empty net.
This defeat for the Cameroon national team means that their journey in the World Cup will end after the group stage, while tournament hosts Brazil secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Cameroon 0 - 4 Croatia
11' [0 - 1] I.Olic
48' [0 - 2] I.Perisic
61' [0 - 3] M.Mandzukic
73' [0 - 4] M.Mandzukic
40' A.Song (Cameroon) - red card
Starting line-ups:
Cameroon: Itandje, Assou-Ekotto, Nkoulou (c), Song, Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Choupo Moting, Chedjou, Mbia, Enoh, Matip
Croatia: Pletikosa, Pranjic, Perisic, Corluka, Lovren, Rakitic, Modric, Srna (c), Mandzukic, Olic, Sammir
Group A standings table:
1. Brazil - 2 matches played, 4 points, +2 goal difference
2. Mexico - 2 matches played, 4 points, +1 goal difference
3. Croatia - 2 matches played, 3 points, +2 goal difference
4. Cameroon - 2 matches played, 0 points, -5 goal difference
