Cameroon 1-0 Brazil: the Indomitable Lions go out with their heads held high
The climax of Group G saw Cameroon upset Brazil in a 1-0 win, their first World Cup victory in 20 years. It was entertaining as far as one nils go, with both sides pushing all the way to the end for a winning goal.
Brazil dominated much of the proceedings, but Vincent Aboubakar had Cameroon’s winner in the 92nd minute, followed by a second yellow for his celebration.
Unfortunately for the Indomitable Lions, the win was not enough as they went out of the World Cup. Despite the loss, Brazil topped the group.
The first chance came 14 minutes in, Fred picking out Gabriel Martinelli with a delicious diagonal. Martinelli’s header forced a fine save out of Devis Epassy.
It was again Martinelli’s turn to test Epassy a minute into stoppage time in the first half. He cut inside from the left and shifted past multiple defenders before having his shot tipped over the bar.
Brazil down the other end a minute later and conceded their first shot on target – a lovely cross from Moumi Ngamaleu fell to Bryan Mbeumo, he headed the ball into the ground but Ederson was equal to the effort.
The second half started the same way the first ended with Cameroon on the front foot. Five minutes in and Aboubakar had Ederson scrambling as his shot fell just wide of the post.
Martinelli was Brazil’s brightest spark throughout. A quick counter attack 55 minutes in saw Arsenal teammate Gabriel Jesus play him through on goal. He cut inside once again and forced another good save.
The resulting corner fell to Eder Militao whose shot was mishandled then eventually turned behind by Epassy.
Aboubakar turned defender in the 81st minute as Martinelli broke through and the Cameroon captain rugby-tackled him to prevent a sight at goal and receive a yellow card.
Brazil had one of their best chances of the game with 7 minutes to play, Bruno Guimaraes played Raphina wide before receiving the return pass that was deflected narrowly wide.
Both teams threw bodies forward in search of a winner, a winner that eventually came for the Indomitable Lions in the 92nd minute.
Karl Toko Ekambi flew down the right flank and sent an inch-perfect for Aboubakar, who directed a perfect header into the bottom corner, leaving Ederson rooted to the spot.
An ecstatic Aboubakar removed his shirt while celebrating and received a second yellow card in the process.
Brazil weren’t done yet though and probably should have equalised in the 98th minute. Dani Alves sent a diagonal to Marquinhos, whose header across the box was directed over by Martinelli.
Again the Seleção could have scored a minute later as Marquinhos was again provider, finding Guimaraes who could only fire over from six yards out.
The whistle went however, and Cameroon managed to hold on and claimed their first World Cup win in 20 years, but Switzerland’s victory meant they went out.
Brazil will move on to the knockouts as group winners and face South Korea in the Round of 16. Cameroon will exit the World Cup with their heads held high but they will still be disappointed.
