Chile led from the 21st minute when mid-fielder Jose Sierra fired a magnificent left-footed free-kick over the Cameroon wall, and seemed assured of victory when the African nation had defender Rigobert Song sent off for his second bookable offence in the 52nd minute.

Instead a powerful header from Patrick Mboma put Cameroon back on terms within four minutes and his side came very close to claiming a winner when their captain Francois Omam Biyik hit the side-netting 16 minutes from time.

As against Italy, though, Cameroon's chances of getting more reward were undone by a lack of discipline. Already missing Raymond Kalla, red-carded against the Italians, Song was always likely to get into trouble when he caught Marcelo Salas a glancing blow in the face with his elbow. It had been the colourful Song who conceded the free-kick which produced Sierra's vital goal in the 21st minute. Hehad already been booked as early as the eighth minute, ruling him out of consideration for the second round.

Cameroon were reduced to nine men a minute from time when substitute Lavriano Etame was sent off for a foul on Salas.

With or without 22 men on the field, both defences looked shaky for much of a game which could easily have contained several goals for both sides.

Once Sierra had curled in his superb effort from outside the area, Salas had a shot kicked off the line by Joseph Ndo and Cameroon upped the tempo themselves.

Their Japanese-based striker Patrick Mboma went close on three occasions, Omam Biyik had a goal ruled out for a hairline off-side and the Cameroon captain then forced Chilean 'keeper Nelson Tapia into a reaction save as the ball flew fast at his head.