A goal from Oribe Peralta in the second half saw Mexico defeat Cameroon by 1-0 in Natal, Brazil on Friday.
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Without their big name striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the starting line-up, Mexico still looked the more dangerous of the two teams at the heavily rained Estadio das Dunas.
Sitting deep in the earlier stages of the game, Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions strategy was to absorb as many attacks from Mexico and counterattack with fast breaks whenever possible.
This nearly backfired on them as Mexico made two controversially disallowed goals in the 10th and 31st minutes from forward Giovani Dos Santos, who remained a constant threat throughout the game.
Still, Cameroon showed glimpses of promise in the first half with Captain Samuel Eto’o hitting the post.
However, Mexico had the last laugh as Peralta went for a goal on a rebound in the 61st minute, after a Dos Santos shot was parried by Cameroon’s keeper Charles Itandje.
Late in the game, Cameroon’s Benjamin Moukandjo came close to equalizing the score but for a save from the Mexican keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Unfortunately, Cameroon’s chances of qualifying for the next round decreased with this scoreline. Cameroon will need a better performance against Croatia on June 18th to stand any chance of advancing from the group.
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