Brazil is not spared from the scare in Qatar

Brazil is not spared from the scare in Qatar

The 'Canarinha' fall (1-0) against an eliminated Cameroon but go through as first and meet South Korea in the round of 16

MADRID, 2 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Brazilian team lost (1-0) to Cameroon this Friday at the close of Group G of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, despite which they advanced to the round of 16 as first and thus met with South Korea, while the Africans they said goodbye through the front door.

Tite's team was already classified and almost certainly first, while the African needed a carom to continue in Qatar. The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the scene of the final, left a watered-down version of Brazil, with changes and homework done to get past a Switzerland that beat Serbia (2-3).

However, Brazil did not escape the scare in Qatar, like so many other teams, and ended up looking askance at the other game because they were close to falling to second place. A lesser evil for those of Tite, which did leave the first defeat of the South American power in the group stage of a World Cup since 1998.

The five-time champion was better in the first half, although without too many occasions. Martinelli and Rodrygo were the most active in the Brazilian attack, which left close to a dozen arrivals although there was little danger between the three sticks. In fact, the best goal option was that of Cameroon just before the break, with Bryan Mbeumo.

The Brentford player finished off with a header and a World Cup debutant Ederson, starting this time instead of Alisson, made the first save by a Brazilian goalkeeper in Qatar 2022. Despite holding up well against one of the favourites, Cameroon needed more to work the miracle, although he did not receive good news from Serbia.

The Swiss victory left the Africans with no chance of passing, even if they were capable of striking the bell. Song's men broke up on the pitch, with Maxim Choupo-Moting, Aboubakar and Toko Ekambi hanging in attack for the last half hour, but the restart did not bring the classic siege seen so far by the Brazilians. Tite opted for Bruno Guimaraes and Everton, and at the end for Rapinha.

Ntcham laid another shot on Ederson and Brazil found themselves with the job done early. Then, in the 92nd minute, Aboubakar connected a header into the net that encouraged the discount in both games. Brazil was able to draw with Bruno Guimaraes and Martinelli at the head, but suffered their first defeat against an African rival in a World Cup.

Cameroon took the headlines around the world and touched the miracle that did not come from Stadium 974, nor a more Swiss goal that would have left Brazil second. The five-time champion does not get rid of the wake-up call before the serious, South Korea on Monday, for a place in the quarterfinals, on the other side of the road from Spain.

--RESULT: CAMEROON, 1 - BRAZIL, 0. (0-0, at halftime).

CAMEROON: Epassy; Fai, Wooh, Ebossed, Ears; Anguissa, Ngamaleu (Mbekeli, 86 mins), Kunde (Ntcham, 68 mins); The Story (We Lead, min.64), Choupo-Moting; Aboubakar.

BRAZIL: Ederson; Alves, Militao, Bremer, Telles (Marquinhos, min.54); Fabinho, Fred (Bruno Guimaraes, min.54); Antony (Raphinha, 79th min), Rodrygo (Everton, 54th min), Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus (Peter, min.64).

1 - 0, min. 92, Aboubakar.

--REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA). He admonished Tolo (min.6), Kunde (min.28), Fai (min.32) and Aboubakar (min.81) by Cameroon. And to Militao (min.7) and Bruno (min.85) in Brazil. He sent off Aboubakar for the second yellow (min.93).

--ESTADIO: Lusail Iconic Stadium.