Croatia recorded a dominant win over Cameroon on Wednesday evening in Manaus to eliminate the Indomitable Lions from the competition.
An early goal from Ivica Olic got the ball rolling for the Croatians, but they were aided by the expulsion of Cameroon’s Alex Song shortly before half time. Goals from Ivan Perisic and a brace from Mario Mandzukic completed the rout in the second half.
Both teams kicked off on the brink, knowing that they must win in order to stand a chance of progression, with Cameroon starting brightly as young striker Vincent Aboubakar made some intelligent runs in the opening period, but it was Croatia who took the lead after ten minutes of play.
Luka Modric fed Darijo Srna on the right hand side, and the experienced full-back whipped in a cross towards Mandzukic. The Bayern Munich striker was muscled off the ball, but it rebounded to Ivan Perisic who laid off a perfect pass across goal into the path of Olic, and the veteran forward tucked it in from close range.
This was the first real chance the Croatians had carved out, but they should have made it two five minutes later. Danijel Pranjic’s corner was deflected through to Perisic, who found himself completely unmarked, but his effort from six yards was directed wide by Charles Itandje when the winger really should have found the net.
Neither team was managing to create any gilt-edged chances in the final third, but a moment of stupidity from Alex Song just before half time proved to be a turning point in the match. The Barcelona midfielder elbowed Mandzukic in the back off the ball as the Croatians broke away on the counter-attack, and was shown a straight red card to leave his nation with a mountain to climb.
It took only three second half minutes before Croatia had doubled their lead. A terrible clearance from Itandje fell straight to Perisic. The winger still had a lot to do, but burst all the way down the left flank and cut into the box to slot home at the near post.
Croatia’s third arrived on the hour mark and it could not have been easier, Pranjic swinging in a corner and imet the head of a totally unmarked Mandzukic to put the result beyond doubt.
The rout continued with fifteen minutes remaining, as Inter’s Mateo Kovacic pulled the ball back to Eduardo, whose shot was parried right into the feet of Mandzukic. The Bayern forward tapped in his second of the night and will rarely score an easier goal.
The Indomitable Lions almost grabbed a late consolation with minutes left to play after a fantastic cross by Benoit Assou-Ekoto was met by a thunderous header from Pierre Webo that crashed off the crossbar.
Cameroon exit the competition with their toughest game against hosts Brazil yet to play, while Croatia will face a must-win situation against Mexico in their final group stage match.
Follow Alasdair Mackenzie on Twitter: @olimpiacalcio
