Cameroon was the first African nation to reach a World Cup quarter-final, achieving the feat at Italia 1990.
Cameroon announced itself spectacularly by defeating reigning champions Argentina 1–0 in its opening match. The Indomitable Lions then topped their group, beating Romania 2–1 with two goals from veteran Roger Milla. In the round of 16, Milla scored twice in extra time as Cameroon defeated Colombia 2–1.
Their quarter-final against England in Naples became one of the tournament’s classic matches. Cameroon recovered from conceding first to lead 2–1, but Gary Lineker scored two penalties, including the extra-time winner, as England prevailed 3–2. Cameroon nevertheless finished seventh and established a new African benchmark.
Morocco had previously become the first African team to reach the round of 16, in 1986. That achievement is sometimes confused with Cameroon’s 1990 run, but Cameroon went one round further—the first African side among the last eight.