At the Stanford Stadium, on Friday June 24, they drew their first match v Sweden 2-2, then never stood a chance against a full blown Brazil team who beat them 3-0. With 84 minutes gone, Rigobert Song, at 17 years 358 days, was sent off , becoming the youngest player to be sent off in a World Cup Finals' match.
The Cameroonians lost their last group match to Russia 6-1 and flew home.
During this tournament Roger Milla also played for the "Indomitable Lions" aged 42 years and 35 days, winning 137 caps.
The age gap between Song and Milla is the greatest in any World Cup squad.
In 1998 you would think that Song would have learned a lesson, matured? NO! In a petulant 1-1 draw against Chile, in Nantes, at the Stade Atlantique, he was sent off almost four years to the day (Tuesday 23 June), when he elbowed Salas in the 51st minute. Team mate, Lauren, joined Song in the second half, 47 minutes later, after a very high tackle, ON the same player!
With 9 men the Cameroonians held out for a 1-1 draw, but this was still not enough points to prevent the early plane home trip!
Song was the first player to be sent off in TWO World Cups.
Zidane equalled this, being sent off in two World Cups, 1998 and 2006. The "Lions" never qualified for the 2006 World Cup Finals.
In the 2010 World Cup, Song played in South Africa, losing to Japan 0-1, Denmark 1-2 and the Dutch 1-2.
Song was signed by Gerard Houllier for Liverpool on January 26 1999 from Salernitana in Seria A. Song never settled at Anfield and was off loaded to West Ham in November 2000 and later played at Koln, Lens, then at Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in Turkey. His nephew, Alex, plays at the high level too. Rigobert now manages the national side.
Song appeared in over 400 matches for various club sides.
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