Mexicans beat rain, Cameroon
NATAL, Brazil — Mexico overcame torrential rain and two disallowed goals to beat Cameroon 1- 0 Friday, picking up the three points 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 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, 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.
Chile lives up to hype
CUIABA, Brazil — Alexis Sanchez produced a dynamic performance to lead Chile to a 3- 1 win over Australia in the World Cup Friday, scoring one goal and setting up another for one of the dangerous outsiders in the tournament.
Chile threatened to run away with the game in muggy Cuiaba when Sanchez poked home from close range in the 12th minute, before setting up Jorge Valdivia barely a minute later for the playmaker to finish from the edge of the area.
But Australia recovered well, responding with a headed goal by star forward Tim Cahill in the 35th and giving the Chileans a string of scares in the second half. However, Jean Beausejour put the game away for Chile in injury time.
Boasting its best ever squad for a World Cup, Chile has been strongly tipped by many — including Pele — to go far in Brazil despite being thrown in the same group as two of Europe’s top teams.
Canadian to make debut
TORONTO — Canadian assistant referee Joe Fletcher will work his first game at the World Cup Saturday when Colombia plays Greece.
Fletcher, a 37- year- old chartered accountant from St. Catharines, Ont., is part of a crew that also includes American referee Mark Geiger and fellow assistant Sean Hurd.
Today’s Games
Group C: Colombia vs. Greece, 9 a. m.; Ivory Coast vs. Japan, 6 p. m.
Group D: Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, noon; England vs. Italy, 3 p. m.