Brazil loses game
LUSAIL, Qatar - 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 much-changed Brazil 1-0 at the Lusail Stadium on Friday.
With qualification already in the bag after wins over Serbia and Switzerland, Brazil still won Group G, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference, and will face Group H runners-up South Korea, who beat Portugal 2-1, in the next round.
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 sprung to life at the death. Aboubakar powered a header past Ederson then was sent off for collecting a second yellow for taking off his jersey in celebration.
The win was Cameroon’s first against Brazil at the World Cup and the South American giants’ first defeat by African opposition at the finals.
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 counts.
“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 played out in a relatively 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. ■