Croatia 4 - Cameroon 0

Photo by Clive Mason

Croatia and Cameroon faced off in Manaus, both knowing that a loss would end their chances of winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Cameroon started the match more brightly, but it was just a matter of time before Croatia settled themselves and took over. Just after the tenth minute, Croatia found an early lead. Mario Mandzukic (pictured red), back from suspension, chested a ball to Ivan Perisic, who then smartly plays across the Cameroonian goal away from the goalkeeper so that Ivica Olic could slide and tap in for the opening goal ahead of his trailing marker Stephan Mbia. The lead nearly doubled when Perisic redirected a loose ball on frame, but Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje used his body to make the initial save and Eyong Enoh cleared the ball off the line to prevent the goal. In a bizarre play, Alexandre Song was running behind Mandzukic and then punched downward upon Mandzukic's back. Song was given a straight red card, leaving the Indomitable Lions down a goal and down a man from minute 40. Croatia took a 1-0 advantage with them into their dressing room.

Two minutes after the restart, the lead was doubled. A weak clearance by Itandje was picked off by Perisic at midfield. Perisic outran substitute right back Dany Nounkeu to get into the box and fire away for a 2-0 lead. A couple minutes later, Sammir picked off a ball at midfield and then sprang Mandzukic for a one-on-one with Itandje, but his lift shot sailed wide. A long Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross lead to a Nounkeu volley attempt from seven yards out, but the strike flew away off frame. Just beyond the hour mark, Danijel Pranjic hit an outswinging corner kick, and Mandzukic ran unimpeded beyond two markers (including Eric Choupo-Moting) to rise up and head it home for a three-goal lead. A shot from Eduardo was saved by Itandje, but the soft rebound was swept into the goal by Mandzukic for the fourth Croatian goal of the night. Croatia blew a couple good chances to add to the scoreline in the final ten minutes, probably due to lack of true motivation to further demoralize their opponents. With two minutes left in the match, an Assou-Ekotto cross found Pierre Webo inside the box. Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa read the header off the bounce and then leapt to tip it off the crossbar. Croatia win the match 4-0.  This result eliminates Cameroon from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Croatia need a victory against Mexico in their final group game in order to advance to the knockout stage.

Brasil 4 pts +2
Mexico 4 pts +1
Croatia 3 pts +1
Cameroon OUT

Goals
Croatia
Ivica Olic 11
Ivan Perisic 48
Mario Mandzukic 61, 73

Match Reports:
http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1892742/three-points-croatia-crush-cameroon
http://soccer.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/06/18/croatia-cameroon-world-cup-commentary-recap-group-a
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/19/world-cup-2014-group-stage-day-seven/ (Daily Summary)

Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186453/index.html