U.S. Surprises Italy but Loses, 1-0 : World Cup: Cameroon beats Romania, 2-1, in one of biggest upsets of the tournament’s history
Italy dominated the United States today in earning a 1-0 World Cup victory but the inexperienced young Americans won respect after their disastrous opening game against Czechoslovakia.
The blue-shirted Italians, favored to win the World Cup, dominated throughout and displayed a full range of their skills but the United States defended with determination unlike Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing by Czechoslovakia.
The Italians, who beat Austria 1-0 in their opening game, advanced to the second round while the United States was effectively eliminated.
The Americans started off clearly hoping just to keep the score down, but they gained in confidence as the game went on and even managed some counterattacks in the second half, aiming crosses to the head of Bruce Murray.
The striker never got in a powerful header but came close to scoring when he blasted a free kick which goalkeeper Walter Zenga could not hold. Murray fired again with the rebound and defender Riccardo Ferri had to clear the ball off the line.
The game started at a gentle pace with the hosts content to stroke the ball about, but the Americans soon made it clear they had no intention of staying on defense.
They pushed long balls forward at every opportunity and even had the first shot of the game when Tab Ramos fired a right-footed effort from just outside the penalty box which Zenga saved easily.
Italy’s goal came in the 11th minute when Giuseppe Giannini finished off a neat move started by captain Giuseppe Bergomi by slamming the ball past U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola.
Cameroon’s success in reaching the second round is one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history and a triumph for the underdog.
Milla, 38, slid the ball calmly past Romanian goalkeeper Silviu Lung in the 76th minute, a quarter of an hour after coming on as substitute, then drove home his second from close range 10 minutes later.
Cameroon has a maximum four points after beating world champions Argentina 1-0 in a major upset Friday.
Romania, which beat the Soviet Union 2-0 in its opening group match, now faces Argentina in a tough fight to win a second round slot.
Milla broke the deadlock when he won a heading duel with Ioan Andone in the penalty area, regained his footing after falling and coolly slid the ball wide of Lung.
Milla again victimized Andone rounding the Romanian player to score his second.
The African team, well disciplined and organized by Soviet Manager Valery Nepomniachy, has won both its games by counterattacking and taking its few chances well.
On a good day for veterans Thomas N’kono, Cameroon’s 35-year-old goalkeeper, made a series of spectacular saves keep out Romania.
