Dutch Escape Aussie Scare, Croatia Beat Indomitable Cameroon

Porto Alegre: A second-half by strike by substitute Memphis Depay gave Netherlands a 3-2 comeback victory over Australia in an absorbing World Cup Group B match on Wednesday.

The result puts Netherlands into a strong position to advance to the last 16 with two wins, including the opening 5-1 rout of defending champion Spain. It almost surely puts Australia out of contention with two defeats.

The Dutch opened the scoring in the 20th minute through a Arjen Robben solo effort but Australia responded seconds later, with Tim Cahill's stunning volley making it 1-1 before the halftime break.

Australia took a surprise lead with a penalty after Daryl Janmaat handled the ball but Robin Van Persie made it 2-2 after collecting the ball in space on the edge of the penalty area and shooting low.

In the other match of the day, Croatia cruised past Cameroon by scoring four goals. The victory put Croatia just a point behind Group A leaders Brazil and Mexico, leaving their destiny in their own hands when they face the Aztecs in Recife on Monday.

Croatia were the better side throughout, even before Song's needless dismissal five minutes before half-time.

Olic had popped up in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range on 11 minutes to give Croatia the lead.

Any chance Cameroon had of getting back into the game disintegrated when Song lost his head and thumped Mandzukic in the back right under the referee's nose, earning a straight red card.

Cameroon imploded as full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto appeared to headbutt team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo late on.

The second half was all about how many goals Croatia could wrack up as Perisic netted three minutes after the restart.

Mandzukic, who did not play in the opening defeat by hosts Brazil as he was suspended, scored a pair of typical goals for the targetman with a header from a corner and then a tap into an empty net after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje had spilled a shot from Brazilian-born substitute Eduardo.