Failing to qualify, Cameroon will be able to savor the fact of having broken two series: it had never won its third World Cup match in seven appearances and Brazil had not yet conceded two goals in this World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions 1-0 victory changed all that.
Faced with a Brazil completely overhauled by Tite to rest its executives – nine players had not yet been established before this match, the Indomitable Lions intend to bravely play their chances even if their destiny is not entirely in their hands.
Guided by a tenured Vincent Aboubakar, Rigobert Song's men are pressing the Brazilians hard to put them in difficulty.
However, any B team whatsoever, Brazil remain one hell of a piece.
He holds on, led by Dani Alves who became Friday evening, at 39, the oldest Brazilian ever aligned in the World Cup.
The experienced defender, aged 39 years, 6 months and 27 days, thus exceeds the record of Thiago Silva (38 years old) established during Brazil's first two matches in Qatar.
However, he is still far from the absolute record in this field for an outfield player set by ….
A Cameroonian!
Roger Mill was 42 when he last appeared in the premier competition in 1994
Little by little, the Brazilians, dressed in blue and white, are getting rid of the Cameroonian laundry and imposing their own tempo.
At halftime, possession is 70% Brazilian but the chances will have been non-existent.
Epassy is in good shape
Two exceptions, one in each camp: Martinelli transplants in the axis but Epassy is there parade to slam the ball above the crossbar (45th + 1).
Then Choupo-Moting shifts to the left left Ngamaleu who crosses for Mbeumo, forgotten by all.
But the pricked head is repelled by Ederson (45th + 3).
On the return from the locker rooms, Aboubakar misses picking the Seleçao cold.
Well found by Mbeumo in the area, the Cameroonian captain crosses his shot too much which grazes the post of Ederson (51st). Martinelli responds with a shot from the left outside the area.
Epassy is vigilant (57th).
Just like on the shooting of Militao (58th).
Bruno Guimares misses the target (73rd).
Nothing works.
While the stadium is on the verge of falling asleep, it is Vincent Aboubakar who will wake everyone up.
Ngom on the right side centers in the area, and the top scorer of CAN-2022 is found and deceives Ederson with a header (90th + 2).
However, the Cameroonian is sent off for a second yellow card.
Brazil for
The snatch victory of the Indomitable Lions does not change anything, however.
The victory of Switzerland in the other match condemned them anyway to go back to the den no matter what.
When in Brazil, she simply deprived herself of the pleasure of being the nation to chain three victories.
Unless this is just yet another proof that "the level is tightening and that there are no more small teams", as the jargon of players and coaches repeat over and over again.
The World Cup in Qatar beyond football:
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>> "It's a disposable workforce": the hell of migrant workers in Qatar
>> A controversial World Cup: Qatar's efforts to counter criticism
>> Qatar: shadow workers
>> Should we boycott the World Cup in Qatar? An Emirate under criticism
>> A bought World Cup? Since 2010, suspicions of corruption have weighed on Qatar
>> After Qatar, is a "greener" World Cup possible?
>> Mondial-2022: a political, economic or "hypocritical" boycott?
>> I have the right, I don't have the right... Guide for the good little supporter in Qatar
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