Natal (Brazil): Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 at a rain-drenched Natal on Friday in a World Cup Group ‘A’ match scarred by more refereeing blunders. Oribe Peralta grabbed the only goal after 61 minutes but Mexico will consider themselves unlucky not to have been more comfortable winners after Giovani Dos Santos had two goals ruled out for dubious offside decisions in the first half.
On both occasions, it was former Tottenham striker Giovani Dos Santos who was the victim. In the 11th minute, the Villarreal player found the target with a sweet, stabbed volley from a cross by Porto’s Hector Herrara but his effort was ruled out by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan On the 30-minute mark, a Dos Santos header from a corner by Miguel Layun was also not allowed to stand.
In between, Cameroon skipper Samuel Eto’o had a goal chalked off for offside although this time the referee made the right decision. Early in the second period, Mexico had a golden opportunity when Peralta was clean through on goal, but he fired the ball straight at Charles Itandje in the Cameroon goal.
Peralta deservedly put Mexico in front just after the hour mark. Dos Santos’s shot was parried into his path and the Club Santos Laguna striker slotted in from close range. Cameroon’s Benjamin Moukandjo had a chance to rescue a point in injury time but his header was well-saved by Guillermo Ochoa.
A chorus of ‘Ole’ began to ring around the stadium as the Mexicans took control, and in the final 10 minutes Hernandez chased deep in Cameroonian territory to cut back for Fabian, who was blocked by a defender.
Cameroon threatened in the final five minutes when Eto’o sent Benjamin Moukandjo through on the right but the Nancy (French league side) midfielder’s drive across goal was blocked by an alert Rodriguez. Mexico had Ochoa to thank in the final two minutes when the goalkeeper pulled off a spectacular dive to parry Moukandjo’s header from Assou-Ekotto’s delivery.
