Mexico Survives Two Disallowed Goals to Beat Cameroon

Oribe Peralta scored the game winner for Mexico in the 61st minute, moving them into a tie with Brazil in advance of their upcoming matchup

Natal, Brazil - Giovani dos Santos had two goals disallowed for offsides in the first half of today's Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon. In the second half Oribe Peralta netted the winner off the rebound of a dos Santos miss to lead Mexico to an important three points by a score of 1-0.

El Tri had been in the headlines over the benching of Javier Hernandez but the two men who started in his place were key in the victory. 

Mexico outplayed Cameroon for much of the day, with the Lions' best chance to score coming on a header from Benjamin Moukandjio in injury time of the second half. But, for most of the game the Mexican defensive line held up well against the Samuel Eto'o led attack.

Mexico managed to stretch the Cameroonian defense all game by working the ball out to the wings with Miguel Layun and Paul Aguilar, opening up space in the middle for the strikers Peralta, dos Santos and Hernandez, when he did get into the match.

However, it was not all positives for El Tri. Cameroon had some of their best chances offensively down the final stretch of the game as the Mexican defenders began to tire. Fitness could be an issue going forward for El Tri especially against a team such as Brazil.

Additionally, on the offensive side, the Mexican attack seemed to stagnate at times when forced to work sideways and backwards because of the Cameroonian defense.

Cameroon certainly has a tough road ahead of them with Croatia and Brazil looming and surely have found both things to be proud of as well as things to work on. Of course the most notable thing would be finishing on the offensive end. That said, Cameroon had some dangerous crosses and a few more lucky bounces (or a penalty that didn't go their way) could mean more balls in the back of the net for the Lions.

Javier Hernandez did get into the game, replacing dos Santos in the 74th minute. Chicharito contributed with a nice cross to Marco Fabian that was knocked away and nearly netted a volley off a cross from Layun. However, Hernandez may be stuck in the role of "Super Sub" for the time being as Peralta and dos Santos both had very nice performances today.

Current Group A Standings:

1. Brazil 3 pts +2 goal differential

2. Mexico 3 pts +1 goal differential

3. Cameroon 0 pts -1 goal differential

4. Croatia 0 pts -2 goal differential