Cameroon Rallies for Semifinal Victory

Cameroon scored twice in the last six minutes Tuesday to snatch a dramatic 2-1 men’s soccer semifinal victory over Chile and keep alive its hopes of winning gold in Saturday’s final against Spain.

Lauren, of English Premier League club Arsenal, scored from a penalty in the 89th minute to clinch the victory after a closely fought match that was scoreless until the 78th minute at Melbourne.

Cameroon won without key players Geremi Njitap and Aaron Nguimbat, sent off during the team’s upset victory over Brazil in Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Chile broke the scoreless tie in the 78th minute. Substitute Sebastian Gonzalez’s shot was deflected by Cameroon’s 16-year-old goalkeeper, Carols Kemeni, and the ball rebounded off Patrice Abanda for an own goal.

Striker Patrick Mboma pulled Cameroon even six minutes later.

The Africans clinched victory after Mboma was fouled in the final minutes and Lauren scored from the penalty spot.