Manaus: Striker Mario Mandzukic scored two second half goals as Croatia knocked 10-man Cameroon out of the World Cup with a 4-0 rout here on Wednesday (Thursday in India).
Croatia bounced back from their opening defeat to Brazil to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Group A.
Cameroon were largely the architects of their own downfall after playing the last 50 minutes with 10 men after Alexandre Song’s dismissal for a stupid reckless punch to Mandzukic’s back.
Ivica Olic gave them a 1-0 half time lead before Ivan Perisic added a second ahead of Mandzukic’s brace.
The result leaves Croatia third in the table, just one point behind joint leaders Brazil and Mexico. Cameroon are bottom with no points.
Croatia now face Mexico in Recife on Monday for a place in the last-16.
Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o lost his battle to make the starting line-up due to a knee injury.
Mandzukic returned having missed the loss to Brazil due to suspension. (AFP)