With Diego Maradona spearheading their attack once again, holders Argentina were expected to swat aside Cameroon during the opening encounter of the 1990 World Cup in Milan.

After all, while the African nation had made an impression at the same tournament eight years previously - which included a 1-1 draw with Italy - they did not possess a history of beating the biggest countries.

However, from the very first whistle in Italy's second city 24 years ago today, it was apparent that Cameroon had not made the trip to Southern Europe just to make up the numbers. They were positive on the counter-attack, while defensively they refused the Argentines any space to prosper, even if that meant breaking the rules.

Surprisingly, it wasn't Maradona that was the special subject of their rough treatment, but his strike partner Claudio Caniggia, who came off the bench at the break.

The match was goalless when the Atalanta frontman was introduced into the action, but his presence meant that Cameroon were soon a man light. A late challenge from Andre Kana-Biyik on Caniggia earned the midfielder a red card in the 61st minute but, just six minutes later, The Indomitable Lions struck.

Francois Omam-Biyik rose highest inside the area and, although his downward header was straight at Nery Pumpido, the Argentina goalkeeper could only fumble the ball over the line, much to the delight of the Cameroon players and their supporters in the San Siro stands.

Despite having the numerical advantage, the South Americans struggled to carve out goalscoring opportunities of note, even when Cameroon had another player dismissed in the closing stages. Again Caniggia was the victim of the brutality when, having rode two sliding challenges, he was clattered into by Benjamin Massing, who received his marching orders.

Even against nine men, time was against the Argentines, who were unable to overturn the deficit come the final whistle as Cameroon celebrated a shock victory.

As it was, both teams would qualify out of the group, with Cameroon reaching the quarter-finals before they were knocked out after extra time by England. Meanwhile, Argentina went all the way to final again, but their hopes of successfully defending the trophy were ended by the West Germans.

ARGENTINA: Pumpido; Lorenzo; Fabbri, Sensini (Calderón), Ruggeri (Caniggia), Simon; Batista, Basualdo, Burruchaga, Maradona, Balbo

CAMEROON: Nkono; Kana-Biyik (RC, 61), Massing (RC, 89), Ebwelle, Kunde; Omam-Biyik, Mbouh, Mfede (Libiih), Tataw; Ndip, Makanaky (Milla)