Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Doha, SANA-Brazil were beaten by Cameroon but still topped Group G at World Cup 2022, while Cameroon bowed out despite Vincent Aboubakar’s late winner.
Cameroon needed a victory to keep alive their hopes of progress but, just as it looked as if they had run out of time, Aboubakar produced a stunning header two minutes into added time to break the deadlock. The African side needed Serbia to take points off Switzerland, but the Swiss held on for a 3-2 win to claim second place in the pool behind Brazil.
Brazil’s much-changed lineup still boasted plenty of attacking talent, with Antony and Rodrygo running at the Cameroon backline and Gabriel Martinelli, making his first international start, forcing Devis Epassy to tip the ball over his firm header from Fred’s cross.
That was largely as good as it got for Brazil before halftime though, with the clearest chance of the first 45 minutes falling Cameroon’s way. Moumi Ngamaleu worked space on the left side and delivered a cross that Bryan Mbeumo attacked at the far post, connecting with a fierce downward header that Ederson sprang to his right to push away.
Aboubakar flashed a shot across goal soon after the restart but Epassy was then in the thick of the action, pushing another Martinelli effort over before dropping Eder Militao’s effort, recovering to turn the ball behind.
Mazen Eyon
