Australia 2:3 Netherlands Match Highlights
Cameroon star Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butts own player
Cameroon went down fighting - off the ball and amongst themselves - as they exited the World Cup on Wednesday with Alex Song adding a red card to the ill-disciplined African nation's long list in a thumping 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
The Europeans were already leading 1-0 when Barcelona midfielder Song opted for a petulant elbow smash into the back of Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic in the 40th minute of their Group A clash in Manaus.
As Mandzukic collapsed in agony, Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca swiftly dismissed Song - the eighth red card for Cameroon in seven World Cup finals appearances.
Cameroon 0:4 Croatia Match Highlights
Cameroon are out, and utterly useless with it. No great surprise. They seemed more interested in their bonus money than in the glory of the competition.
Spain are out and, as the article suggests, with a whimper and not a bang. Perhaps glutted with winning their past three big competitions, they no longer had the hunger. It wasn’t just their king who abdicated. They didn’t have the stomach for the fight any more. End of an era.
Australia are out, and here is the difference: The Aussies fought, and they were very impressive, and deserved a point against the Dutch. There is no shame in their exit. They exposed a few chinks in the Dutch armour. I don’t think Holland will win it. They kicked the rotting edifice of Spanish domination to the ground, but they will face sterner, more solid, tests, later on.
Bad luck Australia.