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IT’S ALL GLOOMY . . . Cameroon talisman Samuel Eto’o (centre) consoles his teammates Nicolas N’koulou (left) and Stephane Mbia after the Indomitable Lions fell in their first 2014 World Cup Group A tie in Natal yesterday. — Fifa.com

NATAL. — Cameroon became the first African nation to lose to Mexico at the World Cup as they crashed to their fifth straight defeat at the tournament after a 0-1 loss to in the second game of Group A here yesterday.
Mexico overcame having two goals controversially ruled out to beat the Indomitable Lions courtesy of a goal from striker Oribe Peralta.
Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and header disallowed for what appeared to be mistakes by the assistant referee.

Cameroon rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto’o shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s free-kick went wide.
However, Mexico secured victory when Dos Santos’s shot was parried before Peralta arrived to slot in the rebound.

At a rain-lashed Estadio das Dunas in north-eastern city Natal, Cameroon almost stole a point late on when Benjamin Moukandjo’s free header was acrobatically saved by keeper Guillermo Ochoa.

An equaliser would have been harsh on a Mexico side who put on an impressive performance, combining a strong work ethic with an attacking threat, and should serve them well when they play hosts Brazil on Tuesday.

Peralta’s seventh goal in nine competitive games prevented the dubious refereeing decisions from overshadowing the victory, while Cameroon’s quality and prospects of getting into the second round appear limited with Croatia and Brazil to come.

There were questions about how these countries would fare, with both sides changing managers in World Cup qualifying campaigns they scraped through.

A nimble Mexico, though, appeared determined to make the most of their time in Brazil, while a powerful-looking Cameroon showed their struggles had continued into the tournament.

The African side struggled to deal with the wing-backs in the 5-3-2 formation employed by the Aztecs, who appeared to have a legitimate early goal disallowed.

Hector Herrera crossed from the right and forward Dos Santos scored a left-foot volley only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, even though replays showed the strike should have stood.

Cameroon almost made it worse when left-back Assou-Ekotto followed up a marauding run by picking out Eto’o, whose first-time shot hit the outside of the post.

Mexico might have felt annoyed they were not in front and their grievances were added to when they had another goal controversially disallowed and a penalty shout rejected.

Firstly, Dos Santos’s header from a corner was ruled out before the striker had a penalty shout turned down following a challenge from Aurelien Chedjou.

However, Mexico had only themselves to blame for not taking the lead just after the break. Dos Santos helped on a pass to release Peralta only for the striker to have his shot saved by onrushing keeper Charles Itandje.

The miss was almost punished when Assou-Ekotto’s free-kick deflected just wide before Mexico’s frustration turned to joy. A Dos Santos shot was initially parried by Itandje but Peralta was on hand to drive in the loose ball home for the winner. Mexico overcame having two goals controversially ruled out to beat Group A rivals Cameroon courtesy of a goal from striker Oribe Peralta.

Giovani Dos Santos had a volley and header disallowed for what appeared to be mistakes by the assistant referee.
Cameroon rarely threatened but a Samuel Eto’o shot hit the post and Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s free-kick went wide.

However, Mexico secured victory when Dos Santos’s shot was parried before Peralta arrived to slot in the rebound.

Key Play
Mexico finally got its deserved breakthrough in the 61st minute. A surgical pass from Héctor Herrera sprung Giovani Dos Santos for a clear break, which was stopped by Alfredo Talavera.

But Peralta was there to pounce on the rebound, and he put the ball in the back of the net. This time, the flag stayed down.
Man of the match
(Dos Santos)
The Mexican striker should have had a brace by halftime if not for those two blown offside calls by Colombia linesman Humberto Clavijo.
It Was A Good Day For Miguel Herrera (Mexican manager)

He  was taking a lot of heat for leaving Hernandez on the bench, but El Tri’s strong play ensured that he’ll be hailed for his decision-making.

It Was A Bad Day For . . .
(The referees)
The Colombian officiating crew ensured that poor refereeing would continue to be a talking point on Day 2 of the World Cup.
Both Mexican first-half goals were clearly not offside, and referee Wilmar Roldan never fully had a handle on the match.

Overall entertainment rating
3/4. Mexico’s attacking flair ensured that the game had plenty of chances, while the officials did their part to stir up some talking points.

What does this mean?
Mexico needed a win against Cameroon to remain in contention for second spot in Group A, and El Tri delivered. A positive showing on the pitch, if not on the scoreboard, against Brazil on Tuesday will put Mexico in good shape heading into a crucial clash against Croatia.

For Cameroon, this makes things all the more difficult. The Indomitable Lions needed a positive result here to play spoiler against the stronger Mexicans and Croatians, but were run off the pitch by speedy Mexico. A victory against Croatia on Wednesday is crucial.

They said it
“We could have scored more, but unfortunately we’re not used to these conditions. Frankly, the refereeing took away two clear goals, but at the end of the day you’ve got to work for it, and we get to the next match with three points and very high spirits.” — Mexico manager Miguel

Herrera Statistics
Mexico’s win over Cameroon was their first victory against an African team at a World Cup finals tournament
Cameroon have only won one of their last 14 World Cup games

Despite firing in four more shots than opponents Mexico (9), Cameroon failed to manage a shot on target until the 90th minute.
Francisco Javier Rodriguez attempted 74 passes for Mexico, 38 more than any Cameroon player. — BBC Sport/CBC.