The Perfect Shot

No 35. Cameroon v England 1990 World Cup, Naples July 1, 1990

Cameroon arrived at Italia 90 with good credentials – they were unbeaten at the 1982 World Cup and were three times AFCON finalists in the 1980s – but in poor form. Keeper Joseph-Antoine Bell was dropped after saying they had “no chance of coping with Argentina, or any other team”. The bookmakers agreed, pricing them at 500-1, but they would prove to be one of the most eye-catching sides.

The tournament was blighted by some reckless tackling, with Cameroon contributing their fair share. In the opening game against holders Argentina they were already down to ten men when a François Omam-Biyik header squeezed in for the only goal of the game. They finished with nine after a borderline assault by Benjamin Massing on Claudio Caniggia.

The mercurial Cameroonians went on to produce a series of audacious performances. Roger Milla, at 38, came on in their second game against Romania and scored both goals in a 2-0 win. His trademark dance with the corner flag got its first airing. Milla was also the star in the round of 16 game against Colombia, coming off the bench again to score twice. For his second goal he memorably dispossessed goalkeeper René Higuita and gleefully ran the ball into the empty net.

Cameroon were the first African side to reach the quarter-finals and saved their best for the match with England. Behind at half time, on again came Milla and his team were inspired, scoring twice and leaving England bewildered. Submerged here after scoring the second is Eugène Ekéké, with Milla (No 9) among the celebrations. Seven minutes from victory, poor tackling would be Cameroon’s undoing again. Twice they conceded penalties and eventually lost 3-2 in extra time. While England trudged off Cameroon ran a lap of honour. Bobby Robson conceded: “I thought we were on the plane home.”

Cameroon have qualified for six World Cups since, but the feats of the Italia 90 team have never been matched. Doug Cheeseman