Match Analysis of Mexico Vs Cameroun Game

Mexico overcame having two goals ruled out to
beat Group A rivals, Cameroun courtesy of a
goal from striker Oribe Peralta.
Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and header
disallowed for what appeared to be mistakes by
the assistant referee.

Cameroun rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto’o
shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s free-
kick went wide.
However, Mexico secured victory when Dos
Santos’s shot was parried before Peralta arrived
to slot in the rebound.

At a rain-soaked Estadio das Dunas in Natal,
Cameroon almost stole a point late on when
Benjamin Moukandjo’s free header was
acrobatically saved by keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
An equaliser would have been harsh on a
Mexico side who put on an impressive
performance, combining a strong work ethic
with an attacking threat, and should serve them
well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday.

Peralta’s seventh goal in nine competitive games
prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from
overshadowing the victory, while Cameroun’s
quality and prospects of getting into the second
round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to
come.

There were questions about how these countries
would fare, with both sides changing managers
in World Cup qualifying campaigns they
scraped through.
A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined
to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a
powerful-looking Cameroun showed their
struggles had continued into the tournament.

The African side struggled to deal with the
wing-backs in the 5-3-2 formation employed by
the Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate
early goal disallowed.
Hector Herrera crossed from the right and
forward Dos Santos scored a left-foot volley
only for the effort to be ruled out for offside,
even though replays showed the strike should
have stood.

Cameroun almost made it worse when left-back
Assou-Ekotto followed up a marauding run by
picking out Eto’o, whose first-time shot hit the
outside of the post.
Mexico might have felt annoyed they were not
in front and their grievances were added to
when they had another goal controversially
disallowed and a penalty shout rejected.

Firstly, Dos Santos’s header from a corner was
ruled out before the striker had a penalty shout
turned down following a challenge from
Aurelien Chedjou.
However, Mexico had only themselves to blame
for not taking the lead just after the break. Dos
Santos helped on a pass to release Peralta only
for the striker to have his shot saved by
onrushing keeper Charles Itandje.

The miss was almost punished when Assou-
Ekotto’s free-kick deflected just wide before
Mexico’s frustration turned to joy.
A Dos Santos shot was initially parried by
Itandje but Peralta was on hand to drive in the
loose ball home for the winner.