NATAL, Brazil (AP) — Mexico overcame the torrential rain and two disallowed goals to beat Cameroon 1-0 on Friday, picking up the three points it needed to have any chance of advancing from a tough group at the World Cup.
Oribe Peralta scored in the 61st minute, giving Mexico its first win over win over an African team at the World Cup and justifying coach Miguel Herrera’s decision to start him ahead of striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, arguably the country’s best known player.
He broke the deadlock just as thousands of Mexican fans were cheering for Hernandez to come into the game, swooping in with his left foot after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje parried Giovanni Dos Santos’ attempt from the edge of the area.
Dos Santos twice put the ball in the net in the first half hour, only to have both efforts called back. He was ruled offside in the 11th minute and his header from a corner in the 29th was denied when referee Wilmar Roldan apparently called a foul in front of Itandje.
Group A Standings
Wins
Losses
Draws
Goals For
Goals Against
Points
Brazil
1
0
0
3
1
3
Mexico
1
0
0
1
0
3
Cameroon
0
1
0
0
1
0
Croatia
0
1
0
1
3
0
Schedule & Results
Thursday, June 12 –Brazil 3, Croatia 1 at Sao Paulo
Friday, June 13 – Mexico 1, Cameroon 0 at Natal
Tuesday, June 17 – 3 p.m.: Brazil vs Mexico at Estádio Castelao, Fortaleza
Wednesday, June 18 – 6 p.m.: Cameroon vs Croatia at Arena Amazonia, Manaus
Monday, June 23 – 4 p.m.: Croatia vs Mexico at Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Monday, June 23 -4 p.m.: Cameroon vs Brazil at Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia
