2010 World Cup: Cameroon v Denmark half time report
Cameroon 1 Denmark 1
First half goals from Samuel Eto'o and Nicklas Bendtner ensure that Cameroon and Denmark go into the break level in Pretoria.
Talismanic striker Eto'o grabbed the first goal of the half on the ninth minute to give the Indomitable Lions a crucial 1-0 lead. It was a lead that Paul Le Guen's side thoroughly deserve after controlling the opening half hour. But Nicklas Bendtner's goal 15 minutes before the break ensured the two sides start the second half all square.
Cameroon were gifted an early lead when a terrible misplaced pass from Simon Kjaer was gratefully intercepted by Achille Webo. He had the simplest task of picking out Eto'o in the place he's most dangerous – inside the penalty area – and the Cameroonian icon made no mistake, slotting the ball clinically past Thomas Sorensen.
After only sporadically threatening, Denmark looked more likely to concede a second rather than score an equaliser. But with the right wing being targeted by the Danes on a consistent basis, their persistence eventually paid off, as a fine low cross from the lively Dennis Rommedahl was finished by the alert Bendtner.
The closing moments of the half were frantic, and both teams should have had at least a goal extra apiece.
First, Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson had a shot expertly blocked by the Cameroonian backline; before, at the other end, Eto'o rattled the post after another mistake from the shaky Danish defence.
A hugely entertaining first half of football, up there with the best of the tournament so far.
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