World Cup 2022: Cameroon beats Brazil… in vain

At the end of boredom, electric shock. The Cameroonians scored in stoppage time with Abubakar’s head and gave themselves the right to dream of an incredible miracle for a few minutes. He hopes to side with the 974 stadium, but which will not take place. Switzerland won against Serbia (3:2), and it is they who will play with Portugal on Tuesday in the 1/8 finals. Cameroon wins for nothing (1-0) and Abubakar, drunk with joy after his goal, will even be expelled for taking off his jersey.

There is only time for eternal regrets for Rigobert Song’s men, who failed to realize early enough that Brazil B was elusive. In football, hairdressers do not promise to return with a beautiful hairstyle. But at least the Brazilian substitutes have shown that we can’t start, wear the blue jersey and do nothing in the third match at the cost of oil.

Brazil-Cameroon was one of the most exciting matches of the first round, and the organizers also placed it in Lusail Stadium, the 88,000-seat arena where the final will take place. But devoid of the huge sporting appeal, it looked more like one of those counterfeit merchandise sold on the stalls of the nearby Souq Wakif market to teetotalers. A beautiful poster pinned to the wall with two push pins.

Brazil on Monday against South Korea… with Neymar?

In front of Neymar, who this time did not stay at the hotel, the rhythm of the match refused to hold a second. And the Parisian had to tell himself that in the end, even with only one ankle in good condition, he would not be superfluous on the lawn. Even if he didn’t run around the field too much, he would at least please the public who had to think about the ticket price… Even if the whole of Brazil fears that he will not be able to play in the 1/8 finals against South Korea on Monday.

At the official forum, Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, was bored. A person who feels “Qatari, migrant, gay, African, Arab and disabled” is unlikely to feel like a passionate spectator in front of widespread weakness. Brazil managed calmly, while Cameroon, although forced to win, stalled. To say that before the start of the World Cup, its president, once the glory of Samuel Eto’o, saw fit to make the final the goal of the Indomitable Lions. As well as what Eto’o already equals to some federal leaders who sometimes only think after they speak.

On the lawn, action is rare. Martinelli is trying to play Epassi, a replacement for Onane, who left Qatar three days ago after a row with his coach. But the Cameroonian easily repels a header (14th place), and then a blow (45th place) from the Richarlison line. Cameroon in stoppage time in the first half forced Ederson to make a good save from Mbeumo’s header (45th+2). The first chance Brazil has missed since the start of the tournament. Even if, looking at the protocol of the match, we understood that it was impossible to draw big conclusions from it. The second period is in the same vein: a few shots, soft possession from Brazil and losses from everyone. This Brazil didn’t deserve to be the only team to win three matches in the first round.