CROATIA V CAMEROON

0' The draw by Brasil and Mexico leave this a must win for both teams. A draw doesn't eliminate them mathematically but makes the path on to the knockout round significantly harder. Cameroon will need to find an attack in this game, and Croatia will look to keep the pace and energy they started their tournament with, but with a better result this time around. Should be a good match this, and Croatia have to be the favorites this time. Joga Bonito.

11' And Croatia strikes first. Its a beautiful bit of passing, a deflection off a cross in gets tapped to an open Olic who taps it on as he had gotten in behind his man, for a beautiful goal. Cameroon coming out strong, dominating the first ten minutes, but to no avail, and they will look to keep the pressure on only now with a sense of urgency.

18' Croatia nearly making it too as a deflection off a corner comes in and Mandzukic unmarked hits it into the keeper. A good save and excellent positioning by the Cameroon keeper, but Cameroon definitely on their heels.

33' Croatia look very much in control, and with the more threatening attacks. Croatia with a chance here and there, but unable to finish off their chances, instead sending errant passes or placing ill timed shots. And when they do go forward they look very vulnerable on the counterattack.

40' Oh my its a red card for Alex Song on a foul away from the ball. Its a straight red for a small punch, that looked like he was hacking with an axe, in the back. The referee saw it all, and Cameroon at ever more of a disadvantage now. An uncalled for foul, and the rest of Song's teammates must be wondering just why he felt possessed to do that.

45' A beautiful piece of football right before the half by Cameroon, a one-man show that sends the ball over the crossbar, but brings the Cameroon crowd back into the match. Cameroon will have to come up with something special in the second half, especially down a man, but still playing with heart.

48' A poor clear by Cameroon and a solo effort by Perisic sees him beat the keeper to the near side, and that gives Croatia the 2-0 lead. That might be enough to put a nail in the coffin for Cameroon, as the Croatians capitalizing well on the mistake in defense. A minute later its nearly another for the Croatians as Mandzukic gets the ball in on goal but sends it just wide of the uprights.

61' Croatia finally crack through once more. Its Mandzukic with a header off a corner that sees them up. Very poor marking by the Cameroon defense, but Mandzukic does well with the space he's given. All but over now for Cameroon, While Croatia will look to continue to build momentum for their do or die match against Mexico.

67' Cameroon with a few good chances here as Croatia take the pedal off the gas slightly, but unable to find that finishing touch to put shots on goal. The crowd fully behind Cameroon, cheering in strength as if it were Brasil on the pitch. And you'd love to see Cameroon steal one back here for themselves, the crowd, and the beautiful game.

73' Mandzukic with another, as he's in just the right spot to collect a rebound off a save from the Cameroon keeper. No defenders near him, and he has all day to slot it home. The Cameroon keeper has to be looking at his defense wondering what they're up to, but its more misery for Cameroon. No doubt now that Croatia will win here, but the crowd still earging on Cameroon for that goal, and now they're playing for pride.

85' Oh my its nearly a goal for Cameroon. A beautiful run in through the Croatian defense, and a layoff pass to a striker who just pushes it wide. He should have done better from there, at least putting it on target. Cameroon playing with real heart though, not giving up yet. Still making excellent runs in attack and defending well. And you have to hope for them to net one before the final whistle.

88' Nearly a fifth for Croatia on the counterattack off a corner. Rakitic receives the ball in on goal and tips it up over the keeper, only to see it go the wrong side of the upright. On the opposite end, a beautiful cross in sees a phenomenal header on goal that beats the keeper but it hits the crossbar and comes back out.

Final' Well its all over. Cameroon out of the tournament. Croatia playing well, but still needing points to move forward. Cameroon unlucky not to score a goal, but a well deserved win for Croatia, even amidst the disarray from the Cameroon side. Eto'o out today, and we can only hope to see him play against Brasil in what is likely his last world cup.