Arturo Vidal and Eduardo Vargas gave Chile a comfortable 2-0 win over African champions Cameroon in a game that will be remembered for its controversial Video Assistant Referee (VAR) goal decisions.
Michael Ngadeu gave Cameroon the lead in the 17th minute after heading in a free kick but Slovakian referee Damir Skomina adjudged Vincent Aboubakar to have fouled Arturo Vidal off the ball.
To make matters worse, Eduardo Vargas scored for Chile late in the first half but the referee felt the goal had to be reviewed.
The 27-year-old forward put the ball in the back of the net and the goal was awarded only to be deemed offside even if the replays of the goal didn’t indeed provide any clarity as to whether the player was out of position.
Chile continued dominating most of the half but Cameroon keeper Fabrice Ondoa’s amazing reflexes, kept Chile’s attacking three of Vargas, Edson Puch and Jose Fuenzadila at bay.
The La Rojas had full control of the midfield but looked toothless without star striker Alexis Sanchez who started off the bench after hurting his left ankle in training on Thursday.
The Arsenal midfielder was introduced in the 58th minute eliciting a huge roar from the crowd. His impact was felt in the 81st minute when the winger provided the cross from the left flank to Vidal who headed home to give Chile the lead.
Sanchez once again found himself clear on goal after dancing past defenders but Ondoa once again blocked the shot. Vargas converted the rebound but the linesman flagged the forward offside.
Once again, Skomina called for the decision to be reviewed with the VAR and after a period of consultation, the goal was awarded putting the game out of reach for the Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon is now bottom of Group B after Portugal drew 2-2 with Mexico in the opening group match.
Australia will now take on world champions Germany in Sochi on Monday in the remaining first round Group B match while Cameroon faces Australia as Chile hopes to go past World Champions Germany in Group B match-day two.
Cameroon will have to beat both Germany and Australia if it is to qualify for the semi-finals.
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