Match ends, Cameroon 0, Croatia 4.
CameroonCameroon0CroatiaCroatia4
Cameroon failed to progress beyond the World Cup group stage once again as they slumped to defeat against Croatia.
The African side fell behind in the 11th minute as Ivica Olic fired home, and were reduced to 10 men after Alex Song lashed out at Mario Mandzukic.
Ivan Perisic made it 2-0 when he punished goalkeeper Charles Itandje's poor clearance, before Mandzukic headed home Croatia's third.
Mandzukic added his second, tapping in after Eduardo's shot was parried.
Niko Kovac's side now face Mexico in their final Group A game knowing victory would assure them of a place in the last 16 for the first time in four attempts.
But Cameroon have failed to reach the second round for their fifth successive World Cup.
They looked rudderless without injured captain Samuel Eto'o, and their task became more difficult when Song lost his cool five minutes before the break.
The Barcelona midfielder inexplicably lashed out at Mandzukic's back as he tracked the Croatia striker, and referee Pedro Proenca had no hesitation in showing him a red card.
Cameroon were already a goal down, with Olic having tapped in after a lovely pass from the impressive Perisic.
Wolfsburg midfielder Perisic, who has been linked with Everton, then went close with a header before he doubled Croatia's advantage with a excellent run and finish after Itandje found him with a poor kick.
Mandzukic, who was suspended for Croatia's opening game, then showed his aerial prowess by netting a powerful header following Danijel Pranjic's corner.
And the Bayern Munich striker completed the rout with an easy tap-in after the nervy Itandje could only push substitute Eduardo's tame shot into his path.
Cameroon's best attempt came in the dying seconds, when substitute Pierre Webo's header forced Stipe Pletikosa to save brilliantly.
And there was still time for the four-time African champions' full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto to thrust his head at team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo during an argument in stoppage time.
Cameroon still have to face hosts Brazil, and will have to improve markedly in both performance and discipline if they are to avoid another embarrassment.
Line-ups
Cameroon
- 16Itandje
- 17Mbia
- 2Assou-Ekotto
- 21Matip
- 3N'Koulou
- 14ChedjouSubstituted forNounkeuat 45'minutes
- 8Moukandjo
- 6SongBooked at 40mins
- 10AboubakarSubstituted forWebóat 70'minutes
- 18Enoh
- 13Choupo-MotingSubstituted forSalliat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Feudjou
- 4Djeugoue
- 5Nounkeu
- 7N'Guémo
- 9Eto'o
- 11Makoun
- 12Bedimo
- 15Webó
- 19Olinga Essono
- 20Salli
- 22Nyom
- 23Ndjock
Croatia
- 1Pletikosa
- 11Srna
- 3Pranjic
- 7Rakitic
- 5Corluka
- 6Lovren
- 4PerisicSubstituted forRebicat 78'minutes
- 10Modric
- 17Mandzukic
- 19Cruz CamposSubstituted forKovacicat 72'minutes
- 18OlicSubstituted forda Silvaat 69'minutesBooked at 89mins
Substitutes
- 2Vrsaljko
- 8Vukojevic
- 9Jelavic
- 12Zelenika
- 13Schildenfeld
- 14Brozovic
- 15Badelj
- 16Rebic
- 20Kovacic
- 21Vida
- 22da Silva
- 23Subasic
- Referee:
- Pedro Proença
- Attendance:
- 39,982
Match Stats
Home TeamCameroonAway TeamCroatia
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home17
- Away18
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away9
- Corners
- Home4
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Cameroon 0, Croatia 4.
Post update
Attempt missed. Dany Nounkeu (Cameroon) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Pierre Webó.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Edgar Salli (Cameroon) because of an injury.
Booking
Eduardo (Croatia) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Pierre Webó (Cameroon) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt saved. Pierre Webó (Cameroon) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Benoit Assou-Ekotto with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Darijo Srna (Croatia).
Post update
Benjamin Moukandjo (Cameroon) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ante Rebic (Croatia) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mario Mandzukic with a headed pass.
Post update
Attempt missed. Benjamin Moukandjo (Cameroon) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Edgar Salli.
Post update
Foul by Mario Mandzukic (Croatia).
Post update
Eyong Enoh (Cameroon) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Darijo Srna (Croatia) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Offside, Croatia. Mateo Kovacic tries a through ball, but Eduardo is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt missed. Stéphane Mbia (Cameroon) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Edgar Salli with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Cameroon. Conceded by Darijo Srna.
Substitution
Substitution, Croatia. Ante Rebic replaces Ivan Perisic.
Post update
Foul by Luka Modric (Croatia).
