Colombian
referee Wilmar Roldan risked anarchy inside Natal’s Estadio das Dunas
after wrongly ruling out two legitimate Mexican goals for offside in the
first half, both scored by ex-Tottenham forward Giovani dos Santos.
So
he – and FIFA – would have been mightily relieved when Mexico’s
domination was eventually rewarded after an hour when Cameroon
goalkeeper Charles Itandje pushed out a shot by Dos Santos into the path
of Peralta, who slotted home the rebound.
The result leaves Mexico favourites to qualify from Group A alongside Brazil, whom they face on Tuesday in Fortaleza.
Long wait: Oribe Peralta (left) gives Mexico the lead in the 61st minute
Ahead: Peralta wheels away in celebration after given Mexico a deserved lead in the Group A clash
Match facts
Mexico: Ochoa, Layun, Moreno, Marquez, Rodriguez, Aguilar, Guardado (Fabian 69'), Vazquez, Herrera, Giovani, Peralta (Hernandez 74').
Subs not used: Corona, Salcido, Reyes, Jimenez, Pulido, Ponce, Brizuela, Aquino, Pena, Talavera.
Booked: Moreno
Goals: Peralta 61'
Cameroon: Itandje, Djeugoue (Nounkeu 45'), N'Koulou, Chedjou, Assou-Ekotto, Song (Webo 79'), Mbia, Enoh, Moukandjo, Eto'o, Choupo-Moting.
Subs not used: Feudjou, Aboubakar, Makoun, Bedimo, Fabrice,
Salli, Matip, Nyom, N'Djock.
Booked: Nounkeu
Referee: Wilmar Roldan Perez
Att: 39, 216
Subs not used: Corona, Salcido, Reyes, Jimenez, Pulido, Ponce, Brizuela, Aquino, Pena, Talavera.
Booked: Moreno
Goals: Peralta 61'
Cameroon: Itandje, Djeugoue (Nounkeu 45'), N'Koulou, Chedjou, Assou-Ekotto, Song (Webo 79'), Mbia, Enoh, Moukandjo, Eto'o, Choupo-Moting.
Subs not used: Feudjou, Aboubakar, Makoun, Bedimo, Fabrice,
Salli, Matip, Nyom, N'Djock.
Booked: Nounkeu
Referee: Wilmar Roldan Perez
Att: 39, 216
But the
performances of officials will be under the microscope with the blunders
of Roldan and his assistants following on from the opening game when
Brazil were wrongly awarded a penalty at 1-1 against Croatia when Fred
dived under a challenge by Dejan Lovren.
If
anything, Friday’s decisions were worse. Dos Santos was denied his
first goal even though he was level with the last Cameroon defender and
he was later ruled offside when the ball had gone to him via the head of
opponent Eric Choupo-Moting.
Before kick-off, nearly 20,000 Mexican fans provided a party atmosphere in Natal despite pouring rain.
They
were probably relieved to see opponents Cameroon simply turn up after
the Africans had arrived in Brazil 24 hours late because of a dispute
over bonus payments.
Mexico
manager Miguel Herrera, who optimistically believes his side can win
the World Cup, controversially left out Javier Hernandez due to the
Manchester United striker’s run of nine games without a goal for his
country.
It didn’t take long for the Central Americans to realise luck – and officialdom – would be against them.
With Cameroon on the back foot, Hector Herrera roared forward after 11 minutes and played in a perfect cross for Dos Santos to volley in.
With Cameroon on the back foot, Hector Herrera roared forward after 11 minutes and played in a perfect cross for Dos Santos to volley in.
Strike: The Mexican striker shoots and scores but his goal was disallowed
Harsh: Mexico's coach Miguel Herrera (right) was right to feel aggrieved with several first half decisions
Hard luck: The Mexico players claim for a handball during a controversial first half
One to forget: Samuel Eto'o missed a glorious chance to give his side the lead in the first half
As
the green shirts celebrated however, Roldan ruled the goal out for
offside on the advice of his assistant, even though TV replays showed
the former Spurs man had been level with two Cameroon defenders.
Undeterred,
Mexico dominated the rest of the first half but Samuel Eto’o hit the
outside of the post with Cameroon’s only dangerous attack.
At
the other end though, there was plenty of last-ditch defending needed
from the Africans, who have only won World Cup tie since their thrilling
run with Roger Milla at Italia 90.
Rafa
Marquez and Hector Moreno got in each other’s way when they were both
left unmarked six yards from goal, Marquez heading wide as they both
went for the same ball.
Bad call: Dos Santos (right) puts the ball in the net again but the goal was disallowed due to an offside
Beaten: Mexico's second strike of the game was also controversially disallowed by the match official
This one counts: Mexico finally took the lead after this strike from Peralta (19)
Still singing? Spectators sit under pouring rain as they watch the Group A match
The officials again disallowed the goal for offside, leaving Miguel Herrera to roar his displeasure at fourth official Norbert Hauata with arms outstretched.
Following the game-changing blunder that gave Brazil a winning start in Sao Paulo on Thursday, further refereeing cock-ups were the last thing that FIFA needed.
But at least Mexico – by far the superior team against an appalling Cameroon side – kept going to ensure they would get the win regardless of the poor decisions.
Dangerous: Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song (centre) fouls Dos Santos
Wet: Dos Santos (left) challenges Alex Song in the rain at the Estadio Arena das Dunas
Defeat: The Cameroon players stand dejected after going down 1-0 against Mexico
Again, Dos Santos was heavily involved in the breakthrough goal after an hour.
The Villarreal player struck with his left foot and though former Liverpool goalkeeper Itandje showed great reactions to save, Peralta was positioned exactly where a fox-in-the-box should be.
The best-paid player in Mexican League history with America kept calm to slot home the rebound from eight yards and trigger huge celebrations among the majority of supporters in the stadium.
Enough: Match referee Wilmar Roldan has a word with Cameroon's Maxim Choup-Moting
Chance: Hector Moreno (right) reacts after missing a chance as the Cameroon keeper looks on
Peralta, who scored both goals for
Mexico when they beat Brazil to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics,
was picked ahead of Hernandez for exactly that type of penalty-area
finishing.
The United man had to be content with a late appearance from the bench but as bare-chested Mexican supporters celebrated in the incessant downpour, there will be a major inquest in the Cameroon ranks.
They were abysmal, as if money disputes had affected morale. Their only genuine sights of goal in the second half came when Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw his deflected shot flash narrowly wide and Benjamin Moukandjo failed to convert a header in injury-time, but that going in would have been the greatest injustice of all.
Peralta, who scored both goals for Mexico when they beat Brazil to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics, was picked ahead of Hernandez for exactly that type of penalty-area finishing.
The United man had to be content with a late came off the bench but as bare-chested Mexican supporters celebrated in the incessant downpour, there will be a major inquest in the Cameroon ranks.
They were abysmal as if money disputes had affected morale. Their only genuine sights of goal in the second half came when Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw his deflected shot flash narrowly wide and Benjamin Moukandjo failed to convert a header in injury-time, but that going in would have been the greatest injustice of all.
The United man had to be content with a late appearance from the bench but as bare-chested Mexican supporters celebrated in the incessant downpour, there will be a major inquest in the Cameroon ranks.
They were abysmal, as if money disputes had affected morale. Their only genuine sights of goal in the second half came when Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw his deflected shot flash narrowly wide and Benjamin Moukandjo failed to convert a header in injury-time, but that going in would have been the greatest injustice of all.
Time to party: Mexico's players celebrates Peralta's crucial winning goal on Friday
Peralta, who scored both goals for Mexico when they beat Brazil to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics, was picked ahead of Hernandez for exactly that type of penalty-area finishing.
The United man had to be content with a late came off the bench but as bare-chested Mexican supporters celebrated in the incessant downpour, there will be a major inquest in the Cameroon ranks.
They were abysmal as if money disputes had affected morale. Their only genuine sights of goal in the second half came when Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto saw his deflected shot flash narrowly wide and Benjamin Moukandjo failed to convert a header in injury-time, but that going in would have been the greatest injustice of all.
Battle: Stephane Mbia (left) controls the ball as Andres Guardado gives chase during the first half
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