Cameroon v Croatia: Ivan Rakitic and Stephane M'Bia swap SHORTS in bizarre post-match ritual after 4-0 mauling sends Cameroon crashing out of World Cup
The former Seville team-mates met in the tunnel after the match to strip down to their pants after the Group A encounter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cameroon were sent crashing out of the 2014 World Cup in an embarrassing fashion as they had midfielder Alex Song sent-off in a 4-0 mauling at the hands of Croatia.
LIVE: Follow the latest news as England play Uruguay, plus Colombia v Ivory Coast and Japan v Greece
Having threatened to not even turn up in Brazil due to a bonus pay dispute, Cameroon may as well have stayed in Africa as the straight defeats means they cannot qualify for the second round from Group A.
But what was more surprising is how Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic and Cameroon’s Stephane M’Bia reacted after the match when it came to swapping memorabilia from the encounter. Having already given away their shirts, the two met in the tunnel to strip down to their pants and swap SHORTS in front of the prying eyes of the world’s media.
The pair do know each other well having both played for Seville last season, but the action certainly takes the post-match ritual of swapping shirts a step further, and the pair soon headed off to their respective changing rooms in nothing but their underwear, socks and boots.
Both players will leave Seville this summer, with Rakitic agreeing to join Barcelona while M’Bia will return to QPR after his loan deal expired – although whether he will remain in the Premier League is not known.
The result sets up a winner-takes-all clash between Croatia and Mexico where nothing but victory will send the Europeans through to the last-16, while a draw will see Mexico join Brazil in the second round providing the hosts come through their final group game against Cameroon as expected.
However, the possibility of causing one of the biggest World Cup shocks in history should be enough to keep Cameroon focused on their final match against the Selecao, given that victory over Luis Felipe Scolari’s side combined with a draw between Mexico and Cameroon would see the hosts dramatically eliminated in the group stages for the first time since 1966.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments