Cameroon are faced with the difficult prospect of needing to beat Brazil at the Lusail Iconic Stadium to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup on Friday.
Having picked up just one point from their first two games, the Indomitable Lions must win and hope for either a draw, or for Serbia to beat Switzerland by a one-goal margin in the other game in Group G, while Selecao only need a point to finish top.
Cameroon kicked off the group stage with a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, with Breel Embolo scoring the only goal of the game against the country of his birth, in the eighth straight World Cup defeat for the African side.
The Indomitable Lions did create chances, registering as many shots on target as their opponents, but they came up just short, meaning they had to get at least a point in their second match, against Serbia.
Despite at one point looking like they were heading for an early exit from the tournament,Rigobert Song’s side fought back from a 3-1 deficit to tie the game up at 3-3, after Jean-Charles Castelletto had initially opened the scoring.
Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting struck within quick succession in the second half to ensure that Cameroon have something to play for on Friday, showing the determination that will be required if they are to get anything against one of the tournament favourites.
While they will no doubt still be outsiders, Song will be hoping his side may be able to capitalise on playing a Brazil team which may not be as strong as in previous matches, owing to the fact that they are very likely to progress as group winners.
Tite will rotate his Brazil squad for their final Group G match, but opponents Cameroon still face an uphill battle to make the last 16 of the World Cup. Brazil are already through to the knockout stage and will top the pool unless they lose and Switzerland win with a significant goal swing.
And the Selecao have their own goals in mind, looking to take nine points from a possible nine for the first time since 2006.
“Being first is always the goal, regardless of who the opponent is in the next match,” said Fabinho, one of the men set to come into the XI. “Our focus is always to win the games, try to earn nine points and give our best.
“Whoever will play will have the opportunity to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team in a World Cup, so the thought of a winning team has to always be this, to enter, give the best, win and be the first.”
Tite’s first-choice stars have set a high standard, winning both games without conceding or even facing a single shot on target. They are the first team not to face a shot on target in their first two games at a World Cup since France in 1998.
“Personally, I don’t think [maintaining the standard] brings pressure to us,” added Fabinho. “I think playing in a World Cup is every player’s dream. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
“We have to face this with great joy, knowing the responsibility, come in and give our best. We know the way the team plays, the team is solid defensively.
“Sure, you have the worries of keeping that, the ideas, but I don’t think it adds pressure. We don’t feel that.”
s expected, Brazil have booked their place in the round of 16, winning their first two games at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, in which they reached the quarter-final.
Selecao are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, kicking off with a 2-0 victory against Serbia, in which Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison bagged a second-half brace to wrap up the three points.
Players to Watch
Cameroon: Vincent Aboubakar
Aboubakar has twice appeared from the bench, yet he could hardly have done more to earn a starting berth. Against Serbia, he became the first substitute to both score and assist a goal in a World Cup match for an African nation, bringing Cameroon back from 3-1 down to 3-3 within 11 minutes of his introduction.
Brazil: Vinícius Júnior
The Selecão may not need to risk playing Vinícius with Neymar already injured, but it must be tough not to pick a man in this form. Only Kylian Mbappé (23) was involved in more open-play sequences that ended with a shot than the winger (15) through two matchdays. Only Mbappé and Ismaila Sarr (four) created more chances following a carry (three).
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