An already-qualified, much-changed Brazil side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cameroon in their final Group G match on Friday, however the African side’s victory wasn’t enough for them to secure qualification into the knockouts as Switzerland edged out Serbia 3-2 to accompany Brazil into the round of 16.
Having won both of their previous games against Serbia and Switzerland, Brazil were guaranteed a spot in the World Cup knockouts. This allowed head coach Tite to rang in the changes and rest his heavy hitters, allowing his fringe players to take the spotlight.
Cameroon, on the other hand, were eying a spot in the round of 16 and they managed to keep up with their more illustrious opposition, albeit with the Indomitable Lions taking on a second-string squad.
Brazil managed to create a good majority of chances at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, however Cameroon remained a realistic threat throughout the entirety of the encounter, which was settled after Vincent Aboubakar headed home past Ederson two minutes into injury time. The former Besiktas man was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card for taking off his shirt in his goal celebration.
Despite winning their game, Cameroon were still eliminated from the World Cup following Switzerland’s thrilling 3-2 win over Serbia at Stadium 974.
The first half saw an exchange of goals as Xherdan Shaqiri gave the Swiss the lead in the 20th minute, before it was cancelled out by Aleksandar Mitrovic in the 26th minute.
Dusan Vlahovic then gave Serbia the lead in the 35th minute, before Breel Embolo cancelled that out in the 44th minute, ensuring that the first half would end in a 2-2 stalemate.
Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler then settled the tie there and there with his 48th minute half-volley, ensuring that Switzerland would advance out of Group G alongside Brazil. They will face Portugal in the knockouts, while Brazil will take on South Korea in their own round of 16 tie.