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Last-gasp goal helps Cameroon beat Brazil but Switzerland's win sends them home

Pat Dempsey
Updated
Vincent Aboubakar scored the game's only goal
Vincent Aboubakar scored the game's only goalAFP, Stats Perform
Despite endless pressure and chances from a second-string Brazil side, Cameroon managed to snatch a last-minute winner in their final Group G game. Unfortunately for the Africans, Switzerland's victory over Serbia meant that the effort was in vain. Brazil and Switzerland advance to the round of 16.

22:06 CET: Well, it just wouldn't be a last group stage match at Qatar without a bit of late drama, would it? It was another tense ending to a group at this World Cup. 

Cameroon were lucky to still be in this game in the latter stages but credit to them, they did what Brazil couldn't do in this match - score a goal. Vincent Aboubakar's late winner meant that Cameroon had a flicker of hope of going through to the next round but they needed Serbia to level the score against Switzerland

The Swiss held on, however, and so they will follow Brazil into the next round. Brazil spurned many chances tonight and they won't be happy about that but they did still secure top spot on goal difference. 

Brazil will face South Korea next, while Switzerland will meet Portugal.

Read our full match report from tonight's match here and see all the match stats below. 

Fulltime statistics
Fulltime statisticsOpta by Stats Perform

100': Fulltime and Cameroon score a historic victory over Brazil but it's not enough as we are just learning that Switzerland have beaten Serbia. 

99': Bruno side-foots a shot just over the bar from close range. It should have been a goal but it might not matter. As it stands, Brazil are still top of the group on goals.

95': So here we are - Cameroon are up 1-0 and down to 10 men in one fell swoop thanks to that wonderfully unexpected goal. But they still need Serbia to score to send them through. In the other match, it's 3-2 Switzerland.

92': OH MY! GOOOOALLL! Cameroooooon! It's Aboubakar with a brilliant header into the bottom corner. He's taken his shirt off in celebration and he's booked, which is a second yellow for him and he's off!

91': There will be nine minutes added on in this match and seven minutes added on in the other match.

87': Well, it's not looking good for Cameroon here. The Swiss are still leading the Serbs and they can't threaten Brazil's goal. They are really running into miracle territory now.

86': A change for Cameroon. Ngom Mbekeli will replace Nicolas Ngamaleu.

85': Bruno Guimaraes goes into the book as well now for a cynical foul.

81': Well perhaps the most blatant yellow card of the match so far. Martinelli breaks clear and Aboubakar rugby tackles him to the turf to halt the attack. Hmm, feels like a yellow isn't enough for that but he did what he had to do to keep his team in it.

79': Another substation by Brazil and their last of the night. Antony comes off for Raphinha as they search for that elusive goal.

78': Ntcham hits a shot hard and low but it is safely collected by Ederson.

75': Coming into the last 15 minutes here and the spark in the match has somewhat waned. Brazil are still dominating possession but are yet to make that count. The situation in the other game - Switzerland are leading 3-2 and processing, as it stands.

68': Another change for Cameroon. Kunde is replaced by Olivier Ntcham.

63': Substitution for Cameroon. Mbuemo is replaced by Toko Ekambi. Brazil make a change too. Gabriel Jesus is replaced by Pedro.

60': Have a look at the Momentum graphic below to get an impression of the story so far. Brazil have had by far more moments of pressure but Cameroon have been better this half. It only takes a moment to score! Can Cameroon do it and keep their tournament alive?

First 60 minutes momentum
First 60 minutes momentumOpta by Stats Perform

57': Lots of Brazilian pressure here again. Militao shoots one at the keeper who parries it and it dribbles just past the post.

56': Martinelli cuts in from the left and bends a beauty towards the far right corner. Well saved.

55': Three substitutions for Brazil. The injured Alex Telles is off. As is Fred and Rodrygo. In their places come Marquinhos, Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Guimaraes.

52': Looks like an injury here for Alex Telles. Looks like he's off.

51': Great effort from Aboubakar as he sends a shot narrowly wide. Cameroon need a goal desperately but also need Serbia to get one!

LIVE FROM Serbia - Switzerland: There's been another goal in the other match! Switzerland have taken the lead, it's now 3-2! That puts the Swiss through if they can hang on but one suspects there might be more action there!

46': And we are back underway here. Cameroon kick the second half off.

First Half

Halftime at Serbia - Switzerland: What a half of football! Four goals and a topsy-turvy encounter that could yet produce more moments of magic in the second half. Xherdan Shaqiri got us off and running with a deflected effort, before Serbia's new strike partnership of Aleksander Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic netted. Breel Embolo then scored just before the break to put this game on a knife's edge.

20:52 CET: So that's halftime here. As you can see by the stats breakdown below, Brazil have dominated the opening 45 minutes. To be quite frank, Cameroon have barely threatened Brazil aside from one good header by Bryan Mbuemo just before the halftime whistle. This second-string Brazil side will be annoyed they haven't filled their boots with some goals. For Cameroon, they will be happy to still be in this contest. As mentioned, they must win this game to have a chance of advancing.

First half stats
First half statsOpta by Stats Perform

48': Huge chance for Cameroon! Mbeumo heads it into the ground and forces Ederson into a diving save! That is the first shot Cameroon have had on target in the match.

46': Nice corner routine from Brazil there. Antony plays it along the carpet to a free Robrygo who hits it first time but it bends wide.

45': Four minutes added on here and Cameroon will be desperate to get into the sheds and regroup.

LIVE FROM Serbia - Switzerland: Switzerland have equalised! It's now 2-2! It's all happening in the group's other game. A draw would mean that Cameroon would have to win and beat Switzerland on goal difference to advance.

38': Brazil continue to pepper the Cameroon goal to no avail. And now that Serbia is ahead, the situation for Cameroon is that they must win (still) and then beat Serbia on goal difference. One goal here would that for them but... can they score? They'll be happy to get to halftime goalless. 

LIVE FROM Serbia - Switzerland: Another GOAL! Serbia have taken the lead! Well, that shakes things up a bit! Serbia have now jumped ahead of Switzerland and Cameroon into second place as it stands.

34': Living legend Dani Alves takes the free kick but it sails over. Good to see the great man out there!

32': There's another yellow for Cameroon. Collins Fai this time for another tackle on the pacey and dangerous Rodrygo. They have to be careful with those.

28': Pierre Kunde picks up a yellow card for taking Rodrygo out in a dangerous position right on the edge of the box. 

LIVE FROM Serbia - Switzerland: Well there's that favour we spoke about! Serbia have levelled through Mitrovic - it's 1-1. If it stays that way, Cameroon can go through with a win here. 

25': Well the scenario isn't great for Cameroon. They need Serbia to do them a favour and get at least one goal back. More pressingly, though, they need to beat Brazil, too! After 25 minutes, they have looked like the second-best team out there.

LIVE FROM Serbia - Switzerland: Switzerland have scored! It's 1-0 in the group's other match. It doesn't change the scenario for Brazil but it means that Cameroon cannot go through as it stands.

19': Well if the opening exchanges have taught us anything, it's that Cameroon is going to have a hard getting the ball of this Brazil side. They have had more than 70 per cent of possession so far.

14': Martinelli leaps like a salmon to connect with a lovely ball from Fred but his header is tipped over the bar. Great effort from both Martinelli and the diving keeper Epassy

9': As we noted in our team news section below, it's a much-changed Brazilian side tonight. 9 changes in personnel from their last match. Despite that, they still have some terrifying talent out there and it won't be easy for Cameroon as they look to become the third African country to qualify for the round of 16.

7': Eder Militao goes into the book too. Two early yellows then.

6': Antony spins away from Tolo and the Cameroon man cuts him down. He receives a yellow card as a result and that's a lot of game time left to be on a booking.

2': Well already the Brazilian slice through the Cameroonian defence once thre. Antony down the right and he will be a threat all night based on that.

1': Brazil kick this match off and they are in their quite fetching blue second kit. Cameroon are in their home kit of green, red and yellow. Two very good kits on show, it must be said! 

Pre Match

19:55 CET: The teams are out for the anthems at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. All set to go here!

Team News

Brazil coach Tite has rotated his squad for their final Group G match against Cameroon to keep most of his key players fresh for a likely last-16 clash on Monday if they finish top.

With their ticket already booked for the next round after two wins, Tite has made nine changes in the squad that won 1-0 against Switzerland, keeping only defender Eder Militao and midfielder Fred in the starting eleven.

Cameroon will face Brazil without their goalkeeper Andre Onana, who has been dropped from the country's squad for disciplinary reasons.

Brazil will top the group with a draw or win. If they lose and Switzerland beat Serbia, top spot will be decided on goal difference.

The Swiss are second on three points, two ahead of Serbia and Cameroon, and will go through with a victory.

Serbia and Cameroon must win to have any chance of progressing and if they both succeed then second place would be decided by goal difference.

TEAMS:

Cameroon: Devis Epassy, Christopher Wooh, Collins Fai, Enzo Ebosse, Nouhou Tolo, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Pierre Kunde, Bryan Mbeumo, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, Vincent Aboubakar (C), Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu

Brazil: Ederson, Dani Alves (C), Eder Militao, Bremer, Alex Telles, Fabinho, Fred, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Antony

See how the teams shape up here.

Introduction

The situation is simple for Cameroon, they must win this game to have any hope of advancing to the round of 16.

On top of that, they must hope that Switzerland don't win against Serbia and that neither Serbia nor Switzerland edge above them on goal difference. 

It's no easy task for the Africans but, at least, it's clear. On top of that, they have the advantage of playing a Brazil side that will already have one eye on the next round and will probably be much changed. 

Stay tuned for our live text updates from the match or follow it using our audio commentary (here) which starts five minutes before kick-off.