Denmark fightback keeps hopes alive

Denmark opened their FIFA World Cup account by coming from behind to beat Cameroon 2-1 in Group E, eliminating the African team and sending the Netherlands through in the process.

Goals either side of the break from Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl overturned an early strike from Samuel Eto'o in Pretoria. However, an inferior goal difference leaves Morten Olsen's side needing another victory against Japan in Rustenberg on Thursday to ensure a European one-two in the section.

Denmark paid a severe price for a defensive error in their 2-0 opening defeat by the Netherlands and they were made to pay again inside ten minutes tonight. Christian Poulsen was at fault, his blind pass freeing Pierre Webó who laid on a chance that Eto'o drilled low past Thomas Sørensen.

Denmark needed inspiration and it arrived when a sublime long pass from Simon Kjær released Dennis Rommedahl down the right and the winger's perfect low cross was turned in by Bendtner 12 minutes before the break.

Defensive mistakes added to the excitement, Alex Song atoning for one with a last-ditch block to deny Jon Dahl Tomasson the goal he needed to equal Poul Nielsen's all-time Denmark goalscoring record of 52; Eto'o then struck a post after a lapse by Martin Jørgensen before half-time.

Rommedahl made it 2-1 on 61 minutes. Picked out by a superb long pass from Bendtner, the 31-year-old cut inside from the right flank, skipped past Jean Makoun and curled the ball in delightfully with his left foot.

Souleymanou Hamidou denied Tomasson with another save before Cameroon twice went close, Sørensen clawing away an Achille Emana drive and Mohamadou Idrissou heading over. Denmark will hope for more of the same when they tackle Japan.