FIFA World Cup : Brazil vs Cameroon

 The last of the Group stage matches got over with the most unexpected results, as Brazil played against Cameroon. 

Having already sealed their place in the round of 16, Coach Tite decided to try out his bench strength by making 9 changes to his playing eleven, that came out against Switzerland. This new look team, on paper still looked formidable, with Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli & Antony in the front having the license to attack at will. Cameroon too in their ranks had Choupo-Moting & Aboubakar upfront & Mbeumo & Anguissa providing strength on the midfield flanks. They needed a big win & hope for Swiss & Serbia to draw in the other game. 

Brazil having a fantastic history against African sides in World Cup, wining all seven matches, scoring 20 odd goals, started in whirlwind fashion, as Antony, Jesus, Martinelli & Rodrygo were all over the Cameroon defense creating numerous chances, but denied scoring by Cameroon keeper Epassy, who was like a man possessed. Any thing his way was either blocked, of fisted out or collected with great confidence, leaving the Brazilian forwards frustrated again & again. Martinelli was particularly unlucky for his chances not converting in at least 3 goals. Meanwhile Cameroon too, found their touch to test the Brazilian defense, & their efforts were well covered by the backline & reserve keeper Ederson. The first half went goal less, with Brazil enjoying almost a one way traffic. 

It looked good for Brazil to win comfortably & a goal seemed round the corner for the number of attacks they had created, but somehow Cameroon held grimly, as Epassy was like a monster wall under the bar, thwarting every Brazilian moves, & then there the bar that came to the rescue of the Indomitable Lions of Africa. Tite made a few changes towards the end minutes of the game, looking for a winner, but to no avail. Meanwhile, in the injury time, beyond the normal 90 minutes, Cameroon shocked the footballing world by nosing ahead. Ngom Mbekeli burst through the right flank & fired an absolute peach of a cross into the box, & Aboubakar rose between two central defenders to head hard past a diving Ederson into the bottom corner. Cameroon 1-0 up against the mighty Brazil. Aboubakar, already on a yellow card, took off his jersey in ecstatic celebrations & was booked again to receive a red card & out of the game, but the damage had been done by then. Brazil, tried their best to level, but young rookie forwards, Pdro & Bruno mad a hash of open chances, blasting the ball over bar inside the box, where a tap in would've done the job !! A huge upset, as Brazil could not finish the group stages in a flourish of winning all three games & will certainly feel disappointed with this result. The Selecao paid the price of taking things for granted & poor finishing against a physical & determined Indomitable Lions of Africa. Cameroon would go home with their biggest scalp of victory in World Cup. Aboubakar with his red card, became the 2nd person to score & receive a red card after the illustrious Zinedin Zidane in 2006 finals. This also marked for the first time since 1994, when no side won all three games in the group stages, as Brazil were handed the most unexpected defeat by Cameroon. 

Brazil will now meet South Korea in the knock out stages. They will need to bring back their first team & the Selecao flair & not let minnows sneak into their lair. Interesting stuff ahead for sure.