itsbeautifuloutside

Both sides made 3 changes from their opening matches. Mandzukic was back from suspension to lead the Croatian line, Sammir played in the hole behind him and Pranjic took over at left back. Against Mexico, right back had been a problem position for Cameroon. For this match Mbia was moved there with Matip taking over in midfield. Aboubakar took Eto’o’s place up-front with the captain’s armband passing to Nkoulou.

Cameroon made a positive start with Moukandjo getting down the right wing. The first attack saw his cross hit the side netting but his next sortie was halted by Pranjic’s foul. Song’s free-kick was cleared. Then Aboubakar showed good feet in the box to earn a corner. Assou Ekotto’s cross was met by the #10 but behind him Mbia was fouling Mandzukic. Then Lovren fouled the young striker and Perisic had to clear the resulting free kick.

Croatia finally ventured down the other end when Perisic played a ball into the box but Mbia shepherded it back to Itandje. In Croatia’s next attack Srna crossed for Mandzukic but the ball sprang away. Perisic seized the opportunity to play a deft pass to the far post where Olic had a tap in. 1-0.

Suddenly Croatia were dominating possession: first Mandzukic fired over, then Perisic and Srna sent crosses over that needed clearing, the latter being headed out for a corner by Mbia. When the ball came back in it was knocked down to Perisic whose shot was acrobatically cleared by Enoh. The next opportunity fell to Rakitic but his shot hit the keeper.

Cameroon then had a brief period of control. Mbia’s cross was headed away by Dejan. Moments later Mbia had another chance but overhit the cross. Then both Song and Mbia had shooting chances, Song’s was blocked, the other flew well wide. Even the industrious Olic was back on his goal-line, heading crosses away. Then Croatia broke up-field and Olic hacked his shot wide.

For a period in the middle of the half the game settled into a midfield scrap. There was plenty of ambition but poor passing saw possession repeatedly turned over. On the half hour Srna was fouled and the Croatia medics took to the field wearing very smart black and grey check shirts – would make a great away kit! Srna was OK to continue but the free kick was wasted by Mandzukic straying offside.

Mbia continued to impress down the right side but Croatia’s defenders showed him into areas where he could do little harm. On 35 minutes Olic got away down the left and hoisted a cross that Itandje, under no pressure, fumbled out for a corner. Perisic got on the end of the cross but headed over.

Cameroon continued to press. On 38 minutes Matip made a great run into the opponent’s box before losing control and running the ball out. Shortly afterwards Sammir worked a shooting chance and fired straight at the keeper when better options existed. Then the game changed completely.

As Pletikosa launched the ball downfield, Song struck Mandzukic right in front of the referee. Mr Proenca could barely believe his eyes – but reacted correctly by brandishing the red card. Song trudged off and with him went any hope of Cameroon progressing further in this competition.

The change was immediate. Modric and Rakitic had struggled to find space or time on the ball but now they had both. Cameroon initially sank back towards their own box and found it that much harder to get upfield themselves. There was rarely any end product but just on half-time the lively Aboubakar was fed by Moukandjo but his shot sailed over. HT 1-0.

The half time break allowed Cameroon to reorganise. Nounkou came on in defence allowing Mbia to play further forward. Both sides mounted attacks to no avail.

There have been few average performances by goalkeepers in Brazil 2014. So far matches have highlighted performances that were either brilliant or dreadful. On 48 minutes Itandje took a huge stride into the latter camp when he played a clearance up the right wing where it was intercepted by Perisic. The #4 still had plenty to do but he had a huge space to run into. Cutting in from the wing, defenders in hot pursuit, Perisic coolly slotted the ball between the keeper and his near post. 2-0.

It should have been 3 on 50 minutes when Mandzukic was played through on goal but put his shot wide. Croatia saw much more of the ball in the second half but Cameroon kept creating – and wasting – chances. Their shooting was becoming increasingly ambitious, no more so than when Nkoulou attempted to volley Assou Ekotto’s cross in the style of Van Basten but without the same spectacular result.

The bulk of the chances were coming at the other end though. Somehow Olic failed to score from close range following Srna’s corner. Then Nkoulou fouled Perisic in the “D” but Srna sent his free kick over the bar. Modric was dictating play and his probing led to a series of corners. Eventually Pranjic lofted one in from the left and Mandzukic rose and headed Croatia’s 3rd. An hour gone but the game was well and truly over.

Croatia were now able to pass the ball about at will. Rarely were Cameroon able to fashion a chance but Aboubakar did on 68 minutes but again missed the goal. A host of substitutions followed and two of Croatia’s new men combined to set up a 4th goal on 73 mins.

Kovacic cut in from the right and picked out Eduardo on the edge of the box. The striker hit a low shot that Itandje got a hand on but merely took all the pace off it to allow Mandzukic to roll it home. 4-0.

The final 15 minutes became untidy as players tired and Cameroon lost any shape they’d been sent out with. Both sides continued to create the odd chance, the best being that created for Rakitic by Rebic but he missed an absolute sitter. Then Webo rose to meet a cross and his firm header hit the bar. The referee kindly demanded only 2 extra minutes and that was that. If I was awarding Man of the Match for a positive contribution I'd probably go for Olic. The sad fact is that the man with most influence on this game, for all the wrong reasons, was Alex Song.

How there weren’t more goals I don’t know. Both sides had plenty of shots but the key stat was that Cameroon only managed two on target. Not much use if you let in four! So Cameroon have to hang around until Monday when they play Brazil. Then it is the long flight home for them.

Croatia live to fight another day. They are already playing knock-out football and only a win against Mexico will see them progress. That is now a big game – shame I’ve swapped it with Jickster.