FIFA World Cup: Brazil shocked by Cameroon however nonetheless qualify together with Switzerland

Cameroon struck in damage time to down Brazil whereas Switzerland put three previous a leaky Serbian defence to win their final sport of Group G. The outcomes had no actual bearing on the group although as Brazil and Switzerland each certified for the Round-of-16. This is the third World Cup in a row the place the Swiss have moved previous the group stage.

Serbia needed to win to qualify for the knockouts whereas Switzerland may afford to have a look at the Brazil-Cameroon end result with hopes of shifting on to the subsequent spherical.

A narrative in 4 elements.

This #FIFAWorldCup Group Stage is offering drama proper till the very finish! pic.twitter.com/v7iviclvYH

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022

The Swiss drew first blood when the evergreen Xherdan Shaqiri struck Serbian hopes with a strong drive within the twentieth minute. Despite being a aim down, Serbia may take hope from a manic World Cup group stage that has seen giants fall and outcomes oscillate throughout the board.

Therefore it was no shock when the Serbian struck twice in fast succession. The first aim got here from Aleksandar Mitrovic, who linked with a header that he promptly deposited into the far backside nook.

Equaliser within the bag, Serbia have been as soon as once more let in to the match, in addition to the group, when the Swiss’ lackadaisical defending led to a different Serbian alternative.

This time, it was Shaqiri, who misplaced possession within the midfield. Dusan Tadic, an Ajax mainstay who’s all the time good for a defence-splitting move, managed to slide a ball in. The Swiss defence ought to have simply cleared the ball away however as a substitute gave away possession to Dusan Vlahovic.

After a five-goal fest, the Swiss are heading to the Knockout Stages! 🇨🇭@adidasfootball | #FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 2, 2022

The Juventus striker took a left footed shot and slid the ball previous keeper Gregor Kobel. Suddenly Serbia went from being final in Group G to being second.

But that situation was brief lived because the Swiss struck once more, this time by means of Breel Embolo, who had a easy tap-in to attain proper as the primary half was about to finish, because of a Silvan Widmer move. This is Embolo’s fourth aim in 5 successive video games for his nation.

The breathless first half was the polar reverse of the opposite sport in Group G. Brazil, beginning a second string facet, after having secured their qualification to the subsequent spherical, have been in a goalless scenario towards Cameroon going into the break. A win for Cameroon would complicate issues within the group, very similar to it has for nearly all different group stage matches.

The Swiss started their second half like they ended the primary. Shaqiri was on the coronary heart of this transfer as nicely. The winger acquired a move again from Embolo after which provided a fragile dink over the Serbian defence.

That ball excessive was met by Ruben Vargas who matched Shaqiri’s piece of talent with a deft no-look heel move that reached Remo Frueler, who transformed to present Switzerland their lead, in addition to the second-place place on the group again.

The Serbians have been now taking a look at a two-goal mountain to climb. And it was a mountain they’d fail to scale. Towards the top of the match, the Serbians slowed down, the third aim having knocked the wind off their sails.

On the opposite finish of Doha, Cameroon struck in damage time. An Ngom Mbekeli cross from the fitting was met by Vincent Aboubakar, who ghosted between the Brazil centre-backs and was rewarded for his stealth. Even although they misplaced, Brazil nonetheless managed to take the highest spot in Group G because of their superior aim distinction.

A World Cup stuffed with a gaggle stage of nice depth lastly wound right down to a detailed. Brazil and Switzerland turned the ultimate groups to undergo to the Knockout levels. Cameroon went down with a win. Serbia, touted to go far within the match, fell on the first hurdle.