Croatia send Cameroon crashing out of World Cup

Andy Goldberg, dpa ​

Mario Mandzukic scored a brace in his World Cup debut on Wednesday as Croatia crushed 10-man Chile 4-0 and sent the African team packing.

The result sets up a tantilizing game between Croatia and Mexico in the next round, with Croatia needing a victory to progress from the group stage and Mexico needing a draw.

Showing determination, skill and ruthlessness, Croatia could easily have scored more than the goals notched up by Ivana Olic, Ivan Pericic and Mario Mandzukic, but wasted numerous golden chances. 

Veteran striker Olic put the Vatreni ahead after 11 minutes when he slotted home from inside the box after good work from Luka Modric, Darijo Srna, Ivan Pericic and Mario Mandzukic.

Pericic doubled the lead in the 48th minute when he latched on to a poor clearance from keeper Charles Intandje and galloped down the left from the half way line to slot home from close range.

Mandzukic could have added to Cameroon's woes two minutes later when he shot just wide when clear through on goal. But he was more accurate in the 64th minute to power home a header from a corner.

Nine minutes later the Bayern Munich striker,, who was szuspended for the opening 3-1 defeat against Brazil, doubled his tally when he tapped in a rebound after Intandje could only parry a fierce shot from Eduardo, who had come on for Olic four minutes earlier.

The Indomitable Lions, playing without former World Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o due to an injured knee, had started brightly and continually threatened a breakthrough.  

But midfielder Alex Song pressed the self-destruct button with an act of wanton thuggery in the 40th minute was given a straight red in the 40th minute for an elbow rap on the back of Mandzukic. 

Despite Croatia's lead, the game had been even until Song's moment of madness. But the second half was mostly one-way traffic on the Cameroon goal, with Croatia missing several clear chances to rack up the score and completely dominating the game with near passing and superior numbers all over the pitch.

As the game progressed deep into the second half Croatia's players were first to every ball and found space at will.

Even with Croatia leading 3-0 however, Cameroon did occasionally threaten the Croatia goal with striker Eric Choupo Moting blasting over when clear through.

Earlier Vincent Aboubakar had also troubled the Croatia defence and in the 85th minute Benjamin Moukandja shot over from inside the box. Webo hit the bar in the 89th minute and the frustration was beginning to show on the Cameroon team as he had to quickly go and seperate arguing teammates Benoit Assou Ekotto and Moukandja.