Denmark came from a goal down to beat Cameroon 2–1 in Group E action on Sunday in Pretoria to get back into contention for a spot in the round of 16.
Dennis Rommedahl scored the winner just after the hour mark as he curled a fine left-footer past the outstretched arm of Souleymanou Hamidou in the Cameroon goal.
With the loss, Cameroon is knocked out of the World Cup and also, Netherlands becomes the first team to qualify for the round of 16. Netherlands beat Japan 1–0 earlier in the day.
In contrast to that Netherlands–Japan game, Denmark and Cameroon put on a very open and exciting game largely due to Cameroon’s early goal.
Denmark’s Simon Poulson made a sloppy pass that was intercepted by Cameroon and that led to Samuel Eto’o’s strike in the tenth minute.
While Poulson had a rough start to the game at left fullback, fellow defender Simon Kjaer had a very strong game. His long cross-field pass to Rommedahl created Denmark’s equalizer. Rommedahl beat the offside trap and, from the right wing, came in and centered a perfect pass that was poked in by Nicklas Bendnter in the 33rd minute.
After Rommedahl’s winner, Cameroon had numerous opportunities to equalize but Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen came up big, as did his defense.
Denmark had good chances on the break as the game had totally opened up and Cameroon knew that a loss doomed them to elimination.
Denmark faces Japan in the final Group E game on Thursday. At the same time, Netherlands faces Cameroon in a much less meaningful affair.
