Brazil secured their place in the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a 1-0 win over Switzerland at Stadium 974 on Monday evening.
The South American giants were made to sweat for the three points as they were notably lacking in the final third without their inspirational attacker Neymar Jr. They went into the break goalless against the brave Swiss – who were seeking to make it two wins from two.
Vinicius Jr and Richarlison, who bagged a brace in their 2-0 win over Serbia in the opening game showed plenty of endeavors but failed to find the goal when the latter was marginally ruled out for offside in the build-up midway through the second half.
However, veteran midfielder Casemiro popped up with a stunning strike seven minutes from time to Yann Sommer, for the only goal of the game and secure a place in the next round with a game to spare.
Cameroon and Serbia played out to a six-goal thriller in a 3-3 draw but leaves the African nation on the brink of 2022 FIFA World Cup elimination.
Both sides came into the game without a point after losing to Switzerland and Brazil respectively – but the Indomitable Lions were more of the talking point after the expulsion of star goalkeeper Andre Onana from the first-team.
It’s been reported that a fallout took place piror to the game over his eccentric playing style, in which the technical staff would have preferred a ‘traditional’ and more safe approach to goalkeeping.
However, Cameroon look beyond that and found the lead through Jean Charles Castelletto against the run of play, after being outplayed in the opening stages.
But on the brink of half-time Serbia hit back with two quickfire goals from Strahinja Pavlović and Sergej Milinković-Savić.
Aleksandar Mitrović added a third seven minutes into the second half and it seemed as if the Europeans would run away with the game.
But the substitution of captain Vincent Aboubakar for Martin Hlonga proved inspiring as he scored and assisted the goal for Eric Maxim Choupo Moting in the space of three minutes.
However, the fightback means they have share one point only and will need to beat Brazil and in the final Group G game, to have any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages.
