A brace from star striker Mario Mandzukic and goals from veteran Ivica Olic and Ivan Perisic inspired Croatia to an emphatic victory in their second Group A clash at the Arena Amazonia in Brazil on Wednesday - the first ever meeting between the two countries.
Olic made the breakthrough 10 minutes into the first half, before team-mate Perisic sealed all three points following a brilliant solo run shortly after the break.
Niko Kovac's men have now collected three points from two games and are one point adrift of Mexico, who are level on points with host nation Brazil heading into their final group game, while Cameroon remain winless and out of contention.
Attempting to respond from their defeat to Mexico, Cameroon coach Volker Finke was forced into a change up front, with captain Samuel Eto'o ruled out due to an on-going knee injury. Defender Cedric Djeugoue also made way for Joel Matip.
Cameroon's task was made a lot tougher just five minutes before the half-time interval, when midfielder Alex Song saw red for an incident behind play.
Cameroon's numerical disadvantage was evident and they almost went three goals behind following a swift counter-attacking move, however Mandzukic saw his effort go wide of the post.
Mandzukic finally got his goal on the hour-mark, rising highest to nod home Croatia's third from a corner and his 14th on the international stage.
The Croatian striker put the African nation to the sword again in the 73rd minute, tapping home an easy rebound after goalkeeper Charles Itandje's attempted save fell straight to the feet of the 28-year-old.
