Historic win over Brazil is not enough to save Cameroon
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar last night scored a memorable late winner against Brazil and was then dismissed for whipping his shirt off in celebration – but his goal could not prevent their World Cup exit.
On what could have been an even greater night for the African side, another shock result this time did not have the desired outcome as Switzerland’s win over Serbia made
Cameroon’s progress impossible, irrespective of the 1-0 victory at the Lusail Stadium.
For a brief period Aboubakar’s superb header in the third minute of added time had Cameroon believing in the impossible and federation president Samuel Eto’o frantically checking his phone for news from Stadium 974.
Aboubakar was shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt and when the whistle sounded on Cameroon's first World Cup win in 20 years they did not have long to wait to discover their fate. Their joy was dampened after learn
ing Serbia had not forced an equaliser.
Already-qualified Brazil had the luxury of making nine changes, including bringing in the 39-year-old Dani Alves to become his country’s oldest World Cup player, but their under-strength team never fulfilled expectations.
One of those new faces Gabriel Martinelli provided the bright spark of a first half relatively low on chances with his powerful, twisting header from Fred’s cross turned over early on by Devis Epassy.
Early in the second half Bryan Mbeumo teed up Aboubakar for an angled shot which had Ederson scrambling across his goal, but with news filtering through of Switzerland’s lead over Serbia, Cameroon
knew even if they were to take the lead it would not be enough to save them.
Switzerland booked their trip to the last 16 after edging a heated 3-2 contest with Serbia. Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring in a fiery end-to-end first half before Aleksandar Mitrovic levelled.
Dusan Vlahovic handed Serbia their first lead after 35 minutes but saw it cancelled out by Breel Embolo who sent the sides level into the break. It took Remo Freuler three minutes to net the winner after the restart and ensured Switzerland sealed second spot.