Manaus: Mario Mandzukic scored two goals on Wednesday to keep Croatia in the mix at the World Cup with a 4-0 win over ten-man Cameroon, who cannot now advance from the group stage.
Mandzukic, who returned to the team at the Arena da Amazonia after sitting out the opening loss to Brazil through suspension, headed in a corner from Danijel Pranjic in the 61st minute and then knocked in a rebound in the 73rd of the Group A game.
Ivan Perisic also scored one goal and made another for Ivica Olic.
Cameroon was reduced to 10 men after midfielder Alex Song was given a red card for elbowing Mandzukic in the back in an off-the-ball incident in the 40th minute. The team started without the injured Samuel Eto'o, the team's best player.
Croatia made three changes to the team that lost to Brazil last week. Mandzukic returned from suspension and he was joined in the line up by Danijel Pranjic and Sammir as Nikica Jelavic, Sime Vrsaljko and Mateo Kovacic dropped out.
Cameroon settled the quickest out of the two teams, though Croatia eventually found their groove to open the scoring in the 11th minute.
As the first half passed by Croatia midfield dominated Cameroon and things got bad from worse after Alex Song was give Red Card for his punch at Mandzukic.
Cameroon's numerical disadvantage was evident and they almost went three goals behind following a swift counter-attacking moves.
Mandzukic finally got his goal on the hour-mark, rising highest to nod home Croatia's third from a corner and his 14th on the international stage.
The striker put the African nation to the sword again in the 73rd minute, tapping home an easy rebound.
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