Cameroon strike late to stun Brazil ... but go out
A late goal by skipper Vincent Aboubakar ended Cameroon’s 20-year wait for a win at the World Cup as the Indomitable Lions bowed out in style by beating a second-string Brazil side 1-0 at Lusail Stadium.
With qualification to the last 16 already in the bag after wins over Serbia and Switzerland, Brazil, seeking to claim the World Cup for the sixth time, still won Group G ahead of the Swiss on goal difference. They will now face Group H runners-up South Korea in the round of 16.
Brazil’s first-ever defeat by an African opponent at a World Cup will, however, no doubt sting as their reserve players were left to rue the fact they did not take the chance handed to them by their coach.
Safe in the knowledge that a draw would secure top spot, while even a defeat might still be enough, Tite benched Vinicius Junior and made nine changes in all to the team that beat Switzerland 1-0 in their last match.
But losing was not part of the plan. “It’s a warning signal,” said the 39-year-old Dani Alves, one of those brought in for the game.
“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 with the feeling that a beautiful day slipped through the hands of us players who weren’t playing much.”
Cameroon, whose last win at the World Cup was in 2002 against Saudi Arabia, were on the back foot for most of the match but sprang to life at the death. Aboubakar powered a header past Ederson, then was sent off for collecting a second yellow for taking off his shirt in celebration.
Brazil had by far the larger share of possession and carved out many more chances than their opponents. But in the end it was Cameroon who got the only statistic that actually counted.
“We dominated the match and had several chances. The only thing missing was a goal,” Brazil’s Eder Militao said.
“We should have scored but a lack of attention in one play allowed them to score. It’s frustrating considering the way we played.”
The match was played out in a subdued atmosphere in the cavernous Lusail Stadium, the tournament’s biggest venue, with Brazil’s reserves eager to impress but Tite’s side unable to assert their usual flair.
Gabriel Martinelli was Brazil’s liveliest player and nearly put the five-time champions ahead in the 14th minute when he was picked out by Fred’s ball over the top, but the Arsenal forward’s header drew a fine reaction save from Devis Epassy.