Cameroon came from two goals down to earn a credible 3-3 draw with Serbia on Monday morning.

Both Cameroon and Serbia entered the game on the brink of elimination from the  World Cup  after two opening defeats, almost giving this fixture the air of a knockout game.

The first big chance came after a deft flick from Serbia’s captain Dusan Tadic, with Aleksandar Mitrovic rattling the woodwork in the tenth minute. The Fulham target man had cut inside the hapless Nicolas Nkoulou and fired across goal on his left foot, he was unfortunate not to score in the end.

Another glorious chance fell to Mitrovic in the 16th minute due to some further calamitous defending from Nkoulou and left-back Nouhou Tolo. However, he could only snatch at the opportunity and dragged a snapshot wide following two fluffed clearances from the Cameroon backline.

Wasteful going forward, Serbia soon paid the price from a set-piece. A Pierre Kunde corner was flicked on by Nkoulou, with his centre-back partner Jean-Charles Castelletto finishing the job with a simple tap-in at the far post.

Cameroon hadn’t won a World Cup match since beating Saudi Arabia in 2002 and were certainly fortunate to be ahead, the goal very much coming against the run of play. Serbia’s pressure eventually told before the end of the half, finding their own way through a very creaky Cameroonian rearguard from a set-piece in stoppage time.

Tadic, at the heart of everything for Serbia, lofted in a free-kick and Strahinja Pavlovic was left completely alone in the box to head in the easiest of chances. A deserved equaliser wasn’t the end of the first-half action, however, as Serbia went in front two minutes later.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was loose with the ball on the edge of his own box, attempting to flick it over his head before losing possession. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic made no mistake with the opportunity, curling Andrija Zivkovic’s lay off beyond Dervis Epassy with his left foot.

The keeper, a late replacement for Andre Onana, should have done much better with the effort but could only parry the shot into the net. It might have been three and game over for Cameroon, but Mitrovic – who could have scored a hattrick in the opening period – had his shot deflected wide on the breakaway just before the whistle.

The second half picked up where things left off, with Serbia passing through their African counterparts at will. Tadic, in particular, was magnificent for his country, repeatedly finding pockets of space and turning to play in his teammates.

A sweeping Serbia move from front to back made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute. Tadic sent a lovely ball down the wing for Filip Kostic to chase, who then found Mitrovic in support. Serbia then unselfishly moved the ball between Milinkovic-Savic and Zivkovic down the right to leave Mitrovic with a chance he simply couldn’t miss this time.

As Serbia continued to find gaps, Cameroon found a way back into the game out of absolutely nothing. Castelletto knocked a hopeful ball forward to substitute Vincent Aboubakar who looked for all the world as though he was offside. His finish, an impudent scoop over the onrushing Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in goal, was unerring.

Suddenly, the Serbians were rocked. It was rinse and repeat for the Cameroon equaliser, as Aboubakar curled his run, darted in behind and squared for his strike partner Choupo-Moting to slam home and make it 3-3. Again it was a nervous wait for a VAR offside rule, again none came.

The final half an hour was frenetic, living up to the pseudo-knockout game billing. Mitrovic had two more fine chances but couldn’t find the net. What might Dusan Vlahovic might have done with the same opportunities?

It’s a question Dragan Stojkovic will surely ponder now as things eventually petered out, with both sides probably grateful for the point in the end. Serbia and Cameroon live to fight another day, although the hopes of either advancing have taken a substantial knock with Switzerland and Brazil to play.

For Serbia and Mitrovic, it’s a huge opportunity squandered. For Cameroon, it’s a smash and grab they will surely take.