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PHOTOS: Mexico ready to face Brazil after win over Cameroon
Shrugging off two contentious off-side calls in the first half, a tenacious Mexico rode on Oribe Peralta's solitary second half strike to beat Cameroon 1-0 in a Group A World Cup at Estadio das Dunas in Nadal.
The first half was barren despite the ball finding the back of the net thrice with Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos being the victim of two debatable off-side calls from the assistant referees.
Mexico were clearly the dominant side from the start with their pacy attack but their defence looked shaky.
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Peralta's strike ensured Mexico's first win against an African team
Mexico remained a constant threat and persistence paid and Peralta's 61st minute strike meant that Mexico have beaten an African side in World Cup finals for the first time.
Santos, former Barcelona playmaker, could not score a goal but he did set up one for his side. Hector Herrera sent a pass to Santos, who shot the ball between the two defenders.
Cameroon custodian Charles Itandje failed to stop the powerful strike and Peralta latched on to the deflection and put the rebound in. Santos was denied goals in the 10th and 31st minutes.
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Santos should have had his name on the scoresheet
Giovani dos Santos should have had his name on the scoresheet. He first found the net with a neat volley after 11 minutes but was called back despite appearing to be in line with the defenders.
If the decision to deny him a first goal could be called a marginal call, the second after half an hour was a clear error.
A corner swung in from the left was flicked on by one Cameroon defender and, as another raced off the line, dos Santos managed to turn back and head the ball into the net.
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Eto'o missed a few chances
Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o found the net from a corner but this time the linesman's decision was beyond doubt. It was clear off-side.
Eto'o had a superb chance to put the African the side ahead but he hit wide after receiving the ball from Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who broke into the Mexico box from the left before cutting a low ball back.
But against Cameroon, whose pre-World Cup was marred by a bitter row over bonuses, Mexico were a class apart.