Cameroonian hitman, Vincent Aboubakar’s stoppage time goal handed World Cup favourites Brazil their first defeat against an African side at the world cup level in the last game of the group stage, however, it wasn’t enough to guarantee qualification to the next round.
Aboubakar scored just in time before he saw red after getting booked for the second time for taking off his jersey to celebrate.
Aboubakar, who had come in to captain Rigobert Song’s team, connected with a cross from substitute Jerome Ngom Mbekeli to break the deadlock in the 92nd minute at Doha’s Lusail Stadium.
They did so to record a famous win but Switzerland’s 3-2 win over Serbia at the same time meant the Swiss advanced from Group G along with already-qualified Brazil.
Africa Today News, New York reports that having won their first two matches in Qatar, Brazil topped the group and advance to a last-16 tie against South Korea when their many key players who were rested for this game will return.
Coach Tite sent out a second-string side and the result was Brazil’s first defeat in the group stage of a World Cup since 1998, when they were beaten by Norway.
They also had the 21-year-old Gabriel Martinelli on the left and the Arsenal prospect was their standout performer.
He almost scored the opening goal in the 14th minute when he leapt unmarked but saw his header tipped over by Cameroon ‘keeper Devis Epassy. Martinelli also threatened in first-half stoppage time with a dribble across the edge of the area and a shot that Epassy turned behind.
Needing a win, Cameroon almost went in front in first-half stoppage time when a Bryan Mbeumo header foced a flying save from Ederson.
Brazil had won all seven previous meetings with African opponents at the World Cup, including beating Cameroon in 1994 and again in 2014, and Martinelli was their most likely source of a goal.
Aboubakar grabbed the late winner just when a goalless draw looked the most likely outcome, and Cameroon deserve huge credit for taking four points from such a difficult group even if they now go home.