Cameroon beat Brazil 1-0 but failed to reach the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup in Group G at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Brazil secured top spot in Group G and a round of 16 meeting with South Korea despite a shock 1-0 defeat to Cameroon at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
The South Americans will be hoping to return to the same stadium in a few weeks when it hosts the World Cup Final, but they will be a much changed team.
It was a heavily-rotated Brazil lineup selected by manager Tite and that showed in a slightly disjointed performance.
Despite the rotation, and having already secured progress to the knockout rounds, the Brazilians dominated the opening period both in terms of possession – they had over 60% – and chances – they had 10 shots to Cameroon’s one.
That one chance was the best of the match though, when Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo headed into the ground with the goal begging right before halftime.
The second half was a mirror image of the first with Brazil dominating, but this time around Cameroon took their one chance.
Deep in stoppage time, Vincent Aboubakar ghosted between Brazilian defenders to head home a shock winner.
Cameroon needed both to beat Brazil and for Switzerland to fail to beat Serbia. With the Swiss winning, the Indomitable Lions were playing only for pride.
Their first World Cup victory in 20 years should give them that, at least.
Brazil advanced to the next round but their aura of invincibility has been somewhat deflated by their defeat which rounds out the group stage of Qatar 2022.
TALKING POINT – WHO WON THEIR PLACE?
With Brazil rotating, their squad players got the chance to impress. But who took the opportunity? Certainly Gabriel Martinelli did all that he could have done to impress his manager, but club teammate Gabriel Jesus only reinforced the notion that he struggles to impose himself in the famous yellow shirt of his country.
None of Fred, Fabinho, Ederson or Dani Alves showed particular qualities, while Alex Telles appeared to suffer an injury which would rule him out of contention. Manchester United’s Antony was bright, though.
PLAYER RATINGS
Brazil: Ederson 5; Dani Alves 5, Militao 7, Bremer 6, Alex Telles 5; Fabinho 6, Fred 5, Rodrygo 6; Antony 7, Gabriel Jesús 5, Martinelli 7. Subs: Everton 4, Guimaraes 6, Pedro 5, Raphinha 6, Marquinhos 6
Cameroon: Epassy 6; Fai 4, Tolo 7, Wooh 6, Ebosse 6; Ngamaleu 6, Anguissa 7, Kunde 7; Aboubakar 7, Choupo-Moting 6, Mbeumo 6.Subs: Ntcham 6, Mbekeli 6, Toko Ekambi 5