World Cup: Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0

Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport



KINGSTON, Jamaica:

Mexico got their Brazil 2014 World Cup football campaign off to a perfect start, as they registered a 1-0 win over Cameroon at the Estadio das Nunas in Natal.



Oribe Peralta scored the all-important goal in the 57th minute, placing the ball into the empty net from 12 yards after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje had dived and half-stopped a shot from Hector Perrera.



In a match played in heavy rainfall, Mexico were deserved winners.



At half-time they left the field in a contentious mood; not because of the nature of play, but due to the fact that they were twice denied a goal by the assistant referee’s flag for offside.



Not once, but twice, the call was made against Giovani dos Santos, for his headed finishes.



On both occasions, the Mexicans had reason to be aggrieved as camera replays suggested the striker - who represents Spanish La Liga team Villareal - was on-side when he applied the crucial finishing touches against the African team.



The result lifted the Mexico - who had to earn their spot in Brazil with a play-off win against Oceania champions New Zealand – to second spot in Group A.



They Central Americans have three points, the same as hosts and perennial favourites Brazil, who beat Croatia 3-1 in the tournament’s opening match in Thursday.



However, the Brazilians have a superior goal difference.



The four teams in the group are battling for two spots, to advance to the competition's knockout stage that will follow the round-robin group play-offs.



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