Cameroon national team after the final World Cup Qatar Group G match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Lusail Stadium on December 2, 2022. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
Doha: For almost an entire match, a second-string Brazil were in control against Cameroon but the Africans had saved their best for the last.
It was in the second minute of stoppage time when Rigobert Song’s team inflicted the final blow on the Selecao with a sensational header from Vincent Aboubakar to which Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson had no answer.
Aboubakar was soon sent off for his second yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration but he had achieved something for Cameroon which no other African nation has accomplished before – a World Cup finals victory against the five-time world champions. The 1-0 victory against the South American giants also ended Cameroon’s 20-year wait for a win at the World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions did their part by pulling off a shock win over the pre-tournament favourites at Lusail Stadium - packed with 85,986 spectators - but luck eluded them as Switzerland edged Serbia 3-2 in a thriller at Stadium 974 to qualify as second side from Group G.
“It’s a warning signal,” said the 39-year-old Dani Alves, who became Brazil’s oldest captain at the World Cup.
“There is no weak rival. Here is the lesson, we need to stay switched on throughout the game. One detail and it’s over. We end today with the feeling that a beautiful day slipped through the hands of us players who weren’t playing much.”
Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar celebrates scoring their first goal. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
Brazil emerged as winners in the group despite a loss on better goal difference as Swiss also finished on six points. Brazil will meet South Korea in the last-16 stage on Monday while Switzerland face Portugal the following day.
Tite, as expected, made sweeping changes to his squad resting nine starters from the last match against Switzerland as defender Eder Militao and midfielder Fred were the only ones to be retained.
With Neymar nursing an ankle injury watching from the stands, Alves didn’t make much of an impact hitting a free kick over the bar from a decent position.
Still, the Selecao controlled the game against Cameroon, who needed three points to stay alive in the tournament.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was outstanding in the match as the 21-year-old took three dangerous shots on target.
In what was Brazil’s best chance in the first half, Martinelli after a brilliant ball into the box from Fred headed on target with Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy tipping the ball away for a corner.
Rodrygo, who set up Casemiro’s winning goal as a substitute against Swiss, was also showing a glimpse of his brilliance.
Brazil conceded their first shot on target at this World Cup in the stoppage time of first half but Ederson - replacing Liverpool keeper Alisson - made a brilliant save from a dangerous header by Bryan Mbeumo.
After a lively first half, the match picked up pace with Brazil taking a several more shots on target soon after the game resumed.
Martinelli saw his fine hit brilliantly saved by Epassy again, and in a corner as a result, the Cameroon goalkeeper was lucky to avoid conceding a goal after failing to grab a shot from Militao.
Substitute Jules Olivier Ntcham gave Brazil a scare with an ambitious low hit from a distance but Ederson held it well.
Raphinha coming off the bench with 11 minutes left, created some good opportunities but the stalemate persisted before Aboubakar shocked Brazilian fans after receiving a cross from substitute Jerome Ngom Mbekeli.
“We dominated the match and had several chances, the only thing missing was a goal,” said Brazil’s Militao.
“We should have scored but a lack of attention in one play allowed them to score. It’s frustrating considering the way we played,” he added.
Cameroon, who lost to Switzerland 1-0 and played out a 3-3 draw against Serbia, wrapped up their campaign third in the group with four points with Serbia finishing on the bottom with one point.
