Mboma goal separates sides at break

Ireland 0, Cameroon 1 (half-time)

Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the World Cup were in danger of being shattered after the first game as Patrick Mboma scored the 28th goal of his international career to give Cameroon the half-time lead.

Kalla and Bill Tchato were then involved in a sickening clash of heads in the 32nd minute, with the Montpellier defender coming off worse as he required treatment on the sidelines after being stretchered off.

He eventually returned three minutes later, with Foe having drilled a 25-yard drive over the bar in the meantime.

Staunton needed to be at his best nine minutes from the break when Geremi curled in an incisive cross from the right, with Cameroon captain Rigobert Song just beaten to the header as the goal loomed for the former Liverpool and West Ham player.

Cameroon were beginning to build up a head of steam and they grabbed the lead in the 40th minute courtesy of the irrepressible Mboma.

It was Eto’o who produced all the hard work after receiving a ball down the left from Geremi as he beat Staunton on the bye-line before laying it off for Mboma.

The 31-year-old then slid the ball home from six yards, despite Kelly’s attempt to clear off the line, crowning his 50th cap with the 28th goal of his international career.

Ireland almost equalised on the stroke of half-time as Song inadvertently steered a Harte free-kick from the right towards goal, but Alioum showed great reactions to pounce on the ball on the line.