Croatia's Ivan Rakitic and Cameroon's Stephane M'Bia took a traditional post-match ritual to a new level at the end of their sides' Group A clash in Manaus.
Having already swapped their shirts with each other on the pitch, the pair, who know each other well after playing together for Sevilla last season, reached the confines of the tunnel before deciding to go one step further.
In full view of several officials and cameramen, the midfielders proceeded to peel off their shorts and hand each other the sweaty souvenirs, leaving them in nothing but their undercrackers, socks and boots. It should be the last time the sentimental pair will see each other for a while, with Croatia star Rakitic quitting Sevilla to sign for Barcelona this summer and M'Bia leaving the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán following the conclusion of his loan spell from QPR.
Croatia won the game 4-0 to set up a decisive group game with Mexico while defeat for Cameroon saw them exit the tournament in ignominy, having had Alex Song sent off and seen Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butt his team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. A www.uk.eurosport.yahoo.com extract.
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