Rain highlighted the start of the game. It began early in the morning and would continue throughout the game. Mexico quickly showed their power creating several great attempts with no results.
In the 11th minute it looked to have broken the tie with a nice cross into the box, with a redirect into the goal. Unfortunately the play was called offside.
Cameroon’s greatest attack was in the 15th minute when they were awarded a corner kick. Cameroon was called for an offsides a few seconds later. They were able to continue the pressure minutes later with quality play and no results.
In the 30th minute Mexico was granted a corner kick.. On the kick, the ball was deflected by a Cameroon defender, then headed into the goal by a Mexico player. The Mexico player was offsides, which disallowed the goal.
As the half came to a close, Mexico looked to get the go ahead goal to break the nile all deadlock. A few chances developed though no produced a goal. With a corner in the 45th plus minute, another offsides was given to Mexico, though their shot was nowhere near goal.
Halftime score: Mexico 0-0 Cameroon
Rain continues as the second has got started. Mexico received a great through ball and it was a one-on-one with Cameroon’s goalkeeper. The shot was stopped and deflected out of play by Charles Itanjde.
Eto’o was one-on-one with Mexico’s Moreno. Moreno grabbed and pulled down Eto’o to stop him from going one-on-one with the goalkeeper. This resulted in the games first yellow card. On the ensuing free kick, it was deflected by the wall and just wide of the post for a corner kick. Mexico was able to secure and clear creating a 4 on 3 break away. Cameroon was able to recover and stop the break away.
Minutes later Mexico went on attack. shooting the ball and getting a rebound off of Cameroon’ goalkeeper. Oribe Peralta skimmed it home into the back of the net (61st minute). Giving Mexico the go ahead goal. Beautiful passing was on display as the development would not have happened without it.
Cameroon’s Nounkeu received a yellow card in the 77th minute after his dangerous late slide tackle just outside the side of the box. Giving Mexico a free kick. Nothing developed as the free kick ended in a goal kick. It was a poor delivery by Mexico off the free kick.
In the final ten minutes of the game, Cameroon has created several promising attacks on the Mexican defense. Only coming up short of putting the ball to the back of the net. Cameroon had a beautiful header to start stoppage time only to have Mexico’s goalkeeper Ochoa make an equally beautiful save.
For this game, the Rain was the only consistent. Though it never affected the way the game was player, from playing surface to speed of ball. This was a game that was well played.
Final score: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Mexico scores:
61 Peralta
