Cameroon put in a valiant effort on Friday in their final match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage, surprising tournament favorites Brazil to win 1-0 but coming up just shy of advancing to the knockout stage out of Group G. Indomitable Lions captain Vincent Aboubakar scored a late winner to defeat a heavily rotated Brazil team who rested many members of its starting eleven with qualification from the group already secured. In the end a victory for Switzerland over Serbia in the group’s other matchup on Friday meant Cameroon’s result was not enough to join Brazil in the Round of 16.
Brazil manager Tite followed through with his decision to rest most of his starters with only two players keeping their place in the eleven against a Cameroon side eager to take advantage. Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli was the biggest threat for Brazil in the first half, forcing two saves from Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy. The Indomitable Lions did have their chances to strike with forward Bryan Mbeumo coming closest just before halftime when his header from a Moumi Ngamaleu cross brought the best out of Brazil keeper Ederson.
Cameroon built on the momentum they gained at the end of the first half with captain Vincent Aboubakar firing just wide of Ederson’s goal in the 51st minute. Epassy continued his excellent form, denying Martinelli again in the 56th minute and then saving from Éder Militão following a corner kick shortly after. The goalkeeper who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia ended the night with eight saves, keeping Cameroon in the match.
The efforts of Epassy set the stage for Cameroon to win it late when Aboubakar met substitute Jerome Mbom Mbekeli’s perfect cross to cushion a header past a motionless Ederson in the second minute of stoppage time. In his excitement and enthusiasm Aboubakar took his shirt off while celebrating and was sent off for a second yellow card but Cameroon managed to hold off the Brazilian charge for a historic result. However, Switzerland’s victory over Serbia in the other match meant the Swiss joined group winners Brazil in advancing from Group G while Cameroon and Serbia are eliminated.
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