Cameroon shocked World Cup favourites Brazil as their final Group G showdown ended in farcical scenes.
Vincent Aboubakar headed a 92nd-minute winner but was then immediately sent off for a second yellow card after ripping his shirt off to celebrate. But it was still not enough to save Cameroon from being dumped out as Switzerland went through in second place after yet another nail-biting night.
It was heartbreaking for Cameroon but also a warning for Brazil who do look toothless without Neymar who was up in the stands in the magnificent Lusail Stadium. And the TV cameras kept panning to the Paris Saint-Germain forward who is now a serious doubt for the rest of the tournament because of his ankle ligament injury.
Neymar is at least doing some light gym work but looks set to miss Brazil’s last 16 tie with South Korea and, without their No10, the World Cup favourites do not look quite as intimidating. The 85,986 crowd turned the stadium yellow with their flags and shirts but it did not feel like the usual Brazil World Cup show as they made nine changes, effectively put out a second string line-up and they just could not find a winner.
That will be the worry for Brazil because without their No10 they are not nearly as intimidating or frightening in attack. Brazil made nine changes - Fred and Eder Militao were the only survivors - and yet still had a star-studded line-up full of Premier League stars and players who would walk into most other teams at this World Cup.
There was also a record-breaker in former Barcelona star Dani Alves who, at 39 years of age, became Brazil’s oldest outfield player at a World Cup. Incredibly, they still had a starting XI with an average of 27 years and 101 days with Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli up front, Manchester United winger Antony on the right wing, Liverpool ’s Fabinho in midfield and Manchester City keeper Ederson in goal.
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Arsenal forward Martinelli was the best player on the pitch and three times he went close to scoring but was denied by Cameroon keeper Devis Epassy. Cameroon needed a miracle to go through and created little with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo in going close in first half injury time but Brazil’s No2 keeper Ederson made a smart save.
But there was still time for late draw when Jerome Ngom Mbekeli escaped down the right, put over a great cross and there was Aboubakar to head home. Aboubakar looked so happy to score he did not look bothered by the red card and nor did Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o who was dancing around in the posh seats in celebration.
