Equatorial Guinea 4 - Cape Verde 3

2013 African Cup of Nations quarterfinalists Cape Verde made the trip to Malabo looking to score their first points of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Hosts Equatorial Guinea were not too keen to such an idea, however.  An early free kick from Dio (pictured, red #12) was sent curling over the wall and onto the head of Emilio Nsue (pictured, red with ball), who connected with a strong header to put the hosts ahead 1-0.  The Blue Sharks needed only two minutes to respond with a long through ball putting Djaniny in with only the goalkeeper to beat.  Djaniny waited for the keeper to dive and then deftly chipped him softly for a 1-1 scoreline.  A dozen minutes passed before Equatorial Guinea had found a penalty chance.  Nsue converted the opportunity after the handball to make the score 2-1.  Again, the Blue Sharks spent little time being down on themselves.  Cape Verde caught Equatorial Guinea playing way too high of a line, so they made one quick lateral pass to Platini, who then dribbled a good twenty yards before shooting toward the far post.  The goalkeeper got a glove to the attempt, but it nevertheless continued on its goalward path, evening the match at two goals apiece.  2-2 would be the score at halftime.

Some fancy dribbling by Cesar Rivas left his marker in his wake and the Cape Verde defenders ball watching, so Rivas pulled the ball back and hit an uncontested pass to the middle of the penalty area for his captain Nsue to push home to complete his hat trick and give Equatorial Guinea a 3-2 lead.  Cape Verde were able to equalize a third time, capitalizing on the misfortune of Equatorial Guinea center back Rui, whose attempted header clearance fell perfectly for Djaniny to volley home at the far post for the 3-3 scoreline.  Rui immediately atoned, winning a header in the opposite box that would be kicked in by Claudiney Ramos to the far post, sending the crowd into ecstasy yet again.  Fernando Varela was sent off in minute 88 for Cape Verde after protesting the fourth goal conceded on account of conflicting signals between the referee and his assistant, giving the Blue Sharks but two minutes to make something happen with a man down.  The assistant had marked an offside violation, but the referee correctly waved him off.  Cape Verde were unable to equalize for a fourth time.  Equatorial Guinea win 4-3.

Tunisia 9 pts +4
S. Leone 4 pts 0
E. Guinea 4 pts -1
Cape Verde 0 pts -3

Goals
Equatorial Guinea
Emilio Nsue 3, 17 PK, 76
Claudiney Ramos 88

Cape Verde
Djaniny 5, 85
Platini 19

Match Reports:
http://www.asemana.publ.cv/spip.php/IMG/IMG/spip.php?article86318&ak=1

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY73QfkVq7Q