Cameroon defeated title contenders Brazil 1-0 (0-0) at the World Cup in Qatar, but still have to return home. The “Seleção” had previously qualified for the round of 16.
The five-time world champion therefore started his final group game on Friday evening (December 2nd, 2022) with a B-Elf. Despite the defeat, the South Americans defended their first place ahead of Switzerland, who defeated Serbia 3-2 in the parallel game. In the round of 16, Brazil meets South Korea on Monday (05/12/2022, 20:00 CET).
Cameroon, for which Vincent Aboubakar scored in added time (90+2 minutes), was eliminated with four points. The success was not enough to progress because of the Swiss victory.
Brazilian Alves writes World Cup history
Brazil’s national coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, in short: Tite, had started the rotary machine as announced in the run-up to the game. Compared to the second group game against Switzerland (1-0), the 61-year-old changed his starting XI to nine positions. Among other things, Dani Alves slipped into the starting line-up. The right-back from Mexican first division club UNAM Pumas became the oldest player in the Seleção’s World Cup history when he made his Qatar debut at the age of 39.
Cameroon relies on a controlled offensive
Cameroon also wanted to make history and survived the group stage of a World Cup for the second time since 1990. It required a personal success for that. In the first half, however, coach Rigobert Song’s charges did not appear like a team fighting for their last chance of the round of 16. The Africans’ defensive performance was unquestionably fine against the motley Brazilian team, which naturally had set-up problems.
But the “irresistible lions” just needed goals. And for that they invested far too little in attacking play before the break. Possibly out of calculation, so as not to run into the open knife against the “Seleção”. But maybe it was simply a question of quality.
Only two big chances in 45 minutes
Cameroon only got their first chance in added time in the first half. But it was top-class straight away: Bryan Mbeumo headed free from a cross by Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu on the second post, but was denied by goalkeeper Ederson Santana de Moraes, who reacted brilliantly (45+3).
Brazil were also stingy with successful offensive actions before the change of sides and also only had one great opportunity through Gabriel Martinelli. Keeper Devis Epassy steered the attacker’s header over the crossbar with his fingertips (14′). The Tite team didn’t have much more in their portfolio in attack.
The 0:0 was the logical half-time result in a game with many lengths. After all, because it was 2-2 between Switzerland and Serbia at the time, Cameroon was still in contention for second place.
Brazil is closer to 1-0
Shortly after the break, the Confederates took a 3-2 lead. If the result stayed the same, the Africans’ own success would no longer have helped. And the round of 16 hopes of the “irresistible lions” almost got another damper. Keeper Epassy kept them from falling behind with saves against Martinelli (56′) and Eder Militao (57′).
Cameroon should have upped the ante and pushed for the 1-0 lead to at least do their homework. But the Song-Elf was rarely able to initiate constructive attacks. Brazil were dominant and better, but not compelling enough in the front line.
Aboubakar scores and is sent off
When everything pointed to a draw, Aboubakar headed in Cameroon’s victory. The attacker, who had already been warned, was so happy with his goal that he received his second yellow card that evening. The Africans ended the game with ten men and were lucky that Bruno Guimarães missed the equalizer shortly before the end of the game (90+8).