Qatar 2022: Cameroon bow out after victory over Brazil
Cameroon are out of the World Cup even though they secured a lone goal victory over Brazil in Group H in Lusail on their way home from the World Cup finals.
Vincent Aboubakar headed the winning goal in stoppage time, ripped his shirt off in delight and was shown a second yellow card and thus red. He later apologised to his team for his exuberance.
Cameroon had acquitted themselves well throughout as Bryan Mbuemo brought an outstanding save from Manchester City’s Ederson, deputising for Liverpool keeper Alisson, but Switzerland’s victory over Serbia ended the African team’s chances of reaching the last 16.
With his side having already qualified after their first two games, Brazil coach Tite made 10 changes and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli took the chance to impress with a fine performance in which he was thwarted on several occasions by Cameroon keeper Devis Epassy.
The pre-tournament favourites finished top of Group G despite the loss and now meet South Korea in the knockout phase.
Brazil had won their group games against Serbia and Switzerland and thus coach Tite could shuffle his squad.
Arsenal’s 21-year-old Gabriel Martinelli was Brazil’s outstanding performer, with Cameroon keeper Epassy producing fine stops from an early header, and a shot destined for the top corner in the second half.
Martinelli’s tireless running combined with quality proved a thorn in Cameroon’s side and made an eloquent case for his inclusion should Tite wish to make changes as the World Cup progresses.
Brazil have shown enough in their two victories to justify the pre-tournament optimism surrounding their chances – now they will hope Neymar, who acclaimed the fans with his team-mates on the pitch after the final whistle, can recover from the ankle injury sustained against Serbia in time to make his expected contribution.
Cameroon may be out of the World Cup but Rigobert Song’s side certainly added to the quality and excitement that has marked the group stages here in Qatar.
Brazil had most of the chances at Lusail Stadium but Cameroon were always in the game and posed a threat, which came to fruition when the extrovert Aboubakar directed his header past Ederson during nine minutes of stoppage time.
He paid the price for ripping his shirt off in celebration as referee Ismail Elfath almost apologetically pulled out a second yellow card, followed by the red.
Goalkeeper Epassy also distinguished himself, particularly at the expense of Martinelli, to earn the award as man of the match.
