2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Match 02 Group A Mexico Vs Cameroon Friday June 13,2014

 

Mexico Vs Cameroon at Arena das Dunas, Natal 

Managers:

Miguel Herrera (Mexico)
Volker Finke (Cameroon)

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is only the second meeting between these two countries; Mexico won 1-0 in a friendly in Los Angeles in 1993.
• Mexico have never beaten an African team in the World Cup in three attempts.

Mexico 

 

• Mexico have suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats, having previously been unbeaten in their first seven games under Miguel Herrera.
• They have lost more games than any other team at a World Cup finals (24).
• Javier Hernandez has gone 9 matches without a goal for Mexico, his longest barren run at international level.
• Oribe Peralta has scored 8 goals in his last 6 competitive appearances for Mexico.

Cameroon 

 

• Cameroon have only won one of their last 13 World Cup games (1-0 v Saudi Arabia in 2002), drawing four and losing eight.
• Samuel Eto'o has been directly involved in Cameroon's last four World Cup goals (three goals, one assist).
• No Cameroon player scored more than two goals in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers (Eric Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto'o & Jean Makoun).
• Fabrice Olinga is the youngest player at the 2014 World Cup, having only turned 18 in May. 

Mexico beats Cameroon 1-0

Goal Scorer - Oribe Peralta(61st minute)

Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan had risked mutiny inside Natal’s Estadio das Dunas by wrongly ruling out two legitimate Mexican goals for offside in the first half, both netted by ex-Spurs forward Giovani dos Santos.

So he – and Fifa – would have been mightily relieved when Mexican domination was eventually rewarded after an hour when Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje pushed out a shot by dos Santos into the path of Peralta to grab the rebound.

The result leaves Mexico favourites to qualify from Group A alongside Brazil whom they face on Tuesday in Fortaleza and the goal celebration of tracksuited Mexico coach Miguel Herrera – roaring like a lion as heavy rain lashed down around him – became an instant hit on the internet.

Twenty thousand Mexican fans watched their team dominate a dismal Cameroon side who looked drained by a pre-tournament row over bonus payments that had delayed their arrival in Brazil

The only thing stopping Mexico and a handsome win in extremely wet conditions were the officials.

Oribe Peralta, who scored both goals for Mexico when they beat Brazil to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics, was picked ahead of Hernandez for exactly that type of penalty-area finishing.

The United man had to be content with a late came off the bench but as bare-chested Mexican supporters celebrated in the incessant downpour, there will be a major inquest in the Cameroon ranks.

Squads

Rafael Marquez makes history by captaining Mexico in 4th World Cup as they take on Cameroon in Natal 

 

Rafael Marquez made history on Friday by becoming the first player to captain his nation in four World Cup tournaments.

The 35-year-old led Mexico out for their opening Group A fixture against Cameroon in Natal to set the new record after previously competing in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 finals.
Former Barcelona and Monaco centre-back Marquez, who now plays for Leon in his homeland, made his international debut way back in 1997 and collected his 121st cap in the Cameroon match.