Cameroon bowed out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in an inspiring fashion after their 1-0 defeat of Brazil at the Lusail Stadium.
The victory was, however, not enough to help the five-time African champions go through to the Round of 16, as Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2 in the other Group G game to seal a spot in the next round.
Cameroon gave a good account of themselves, becoming the first-ever African team to defeat Brazil at the World Cup.
Selecao coach Tite made nine changes to the starting XI, with Fred and Eder Militao returning as the only players that started against Switzerland while Arsenal duo of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli alongside ex-Barcelona defender Dani Alves were handed their first start of the competition.
At 39 years and 210 days old, Alves became Brazil’s oldest player at the World Cup.
Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, on the other hand, made four adjustments to the team that faced Serbia and captain Vincent Aboubakar was handed his first start of the competition.
As expected, Brazil dominated proceedings early on, forcing goalkeeper Devis Epassy to a number of decent saves, the best of which came just before halftime when he tipped Martinelli’s right-footed curler over the bar.
Brazil conceded their first shot on target at the World Cup in Qatar from a glancing header by Bryan Mbeumo.
After some good movement down the left by Ngamaleu, the Brentford attacker forced a spectacular save from Manchester City’s shot-stopper Ederson.
Martinelli was Brazil’s main threat, posing lots of problems to Cameroon’s defense with his pace and trickery down the left. After a period of sustained pressure from the Samba Boys, the 21-year-old forced Epassy to make another strong save before the latter deflected an Eder Militao attempt off the post.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second minute of added time by Aboubakar.
The 30-year-old striker fired a cushioned header to the bottom left corner from substitute Ngom Mbekeli’s cross. The goal was the first Brazil had conceded at the Mundial so far.
Moroccan-American referee Ismail Elfath showed the Al Nassr striker a red card for taking off his jersey while celebrating his stoppage-time goal, becoming the first player since Zinedine Zidane in 2006 to be sent off in a World Cup match after scoring a goal.
Aboubakar joins Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) and Joel Matip (Cameroon) as the only other African players to score against Brazil at the World Cup.
Cameroon will turn their attention to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2023 with a double-header fixture against Namibia lined up.
