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SAMBA STARS STUNNED BY ABOUBAKAR

THE camera swept to Neymar. With the national anthem in full swing, there was the golden boy belting out the words from underneath a baseball cap as if he was ready to go to battle. When the camera swept to him again, in stoppage time, he looked emotional again — but for entirely different reasons. Cameroon, through a magnificent Vincent Aboubakar header, had continued this theme of World Cup shocks and inflicted a scarcely believable defeat on the favourites. Having already been booked, Aboubakar was promptly sent off for removing his shirt in celebration. What is it about the Lusail Stadium? Argentina melted here against Saudi Arabia and now Brazil fell into the trap set by the Indomitable Lions. They’re a different proposition without the injured Neymar and everyone knows it. At least it didn’t cost them top spot and they head to Stadium 974 on Monday to tackle South Korea in the last 16. Yet it’s looking increasingly likely they will be without their talisman, whose ankle isn’t healing as swiftly as hoped. Alas for Cameroon, victory stood for nothing but pride. They needed a Serbia equaliser against Switzerland to put them through, but it failed to materialise. For all the pomp and colour in the stands and enthusiasm of the thousands dressed in yellow and green, Brazil couldn’t find a way to hammer home their superiority after enjoying oceans of possession. They would eventually pay the price. With qualification long since secured, this was always going to be a night when Tite made changes. So it proved with nine new faces coming in to the side that had beaten the Swiss. Even accounting for veteran Dani Alves, it was still one of the youngest Brazil sides ever selected at a World Cup, featuring Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo of Real Madrid and Manchester United maverick Antony. Antony entertained with his first contribution, a step-over to receive possession and then a cushioned pass. That was followed by an elaborate pass back to Fred that prompted whoops and hollers from the crowd. Yet Brazil faced opponents who were prepared to shut down the contest, defending in numbers and committing fouls to halt play. Tite’s men had a lot of possession but couldn’t find the ball to slice Cameroon open. The closest they came to a breakthrough was Martinelli’s header, saved by Devis Epassy in the sixth minute before the goalkeeper turned another shot by the same player away in the 44th minute. Ironically, Cameroon had the best opportunity of the lot on the stroke of half-time, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo arriving at the back post to plant a header that appeared to be deceiving Ederson before he flicked out his hand. The goalie clearly enjoyed his big moment as he had previously been restricted to firing short passes into Fabinho and Fred to start attacks. He was back to doing that at the start of the second period. It was about huff and puff from then on, Brazil passing in patterns around Cameroon’s penalty area but finding niggling challenges and green shirts in their way. A foul from Aboubakar (left) earned a yellow card and it had consequences. Deep into stoppage time, he provided the ultimate sucker-punch with a marvellous header and, in his joy, ripped off his shirt to celebrate and was promptly sent off. Up in the stands, Neymar appeared bereft. How Brazil could do with their main man back.

CAMEROON (4-2-3-1): Epassy 7; Collins 7, Wooh 8, Ebosse 9, Tolo 7; Kunde 7, Anguissa 7; Mbuemo 6 (Toko-Ekambi 64), ChupoMoting 6, Ngamaleu 6; Aboubakar 7. Booked: Tolo, Kunde, Fai, Aboubakar. Sent off: Aboubakar. BRAZIL (4-2-3-1): Ederson 7; Dani Alves 6, Militao 6, Bremer 6, Alex Telles 6 (Marquinhos 55); Fred 6 (Guimares 55), Fabinho 5; Antony 6, Rodrygo 6 (Everton 55), Martinelli 6; Gabriel Jesus 6 (Pedro 65). Booked: Militao, Guimaraes. Man of the match: Enzo Ebosse. Referee: Ismail Elfath (USA). Attendance: 85,986.

Unlikely winner: Aboubakar celebrates his famous goal

World Cup 2022

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2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

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