Cameroon vs Brazil final score, result: South Americans finish first in World Cup Group G despite Aboubakar winner

Andrew Haslam

•
Cameroon vs Brazil final score, result: South Americans finish first in World Cup Group G despite Aboubakar winner image

Brazil were beaten by Cameroon but still topped Group G at World Cup 2022, while Cameroon bowed out despite Vincent Aboubakar's late winner.

Cameroon needed a victory to keep alive their hopes of progress but, just as it looked as if they had run out of time, Aboubakar produced a stunning header two minutes into added time to break the deadlock. The African side needed Serbia to take points off Switzerland, but the Swiss held on for a 3-2 win to claim second place in the pool behind Brazil.

Brazil's much-changed lineup still boasted plenty of attacking talent, with Antony and Rodrygo running at the Cameroon backline and Gabriel Martinelli, making his first international start, forcing Devis Epassy to tip the ball over his firm header from Fred's cross.

That was largely as good as it got for Brazil before halftime though, with the clearest chance of the first 45 minutes falling Cameroon's way. Moumi Ngamaleu worked space on the left side and delivered a cross that Bryan Mbeumo attacked at the far post, connecting with a fierce downward header that Ederson sprang to his right to push away.

Aboubakar flashed a shot across goal soon after the restart but Epassy was then in the thick of the action, pushing another Martinelli effort over before dropping Eder Militao's effort, recovering to turn the ball behind.

(US only)

Brazil continued to press as they sought to make it three wins from three, but Cameroon continued to deny them with a mixture of fortitude and fortune. They needed more at the other end, however, and just as it looked as if they would come up short, Jerome Ngom Mbekeli sent in a pin-point cross from the right that got the finish it deserved, Aboubakar guiding a perfect header into Ederson's bottom corner.

With Brazil's prospects suddenly in the balance, they threw everything forward in the closing stages. Martinelli and Bruno Guimaraes were unable to convert gilt-edged chances. It mattered little, however, with Cameroon heading home on the back of a memorable win while their opponents will face South Korea in the Round of 16.

The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights for Cameroon vs. Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. Follow for complete results from the Group G match in Qatar.

MORE: Switzerland hold off Serbia to progress

Cameroon vs. Brazil score

  1H 2H Final
Cameroon 0 1 1
Brazil 0 0 0

Goals:
CMR — Aboubakar (90+2')

Confirmed lineups:

Cameroon (4-3-3, right to left): 16. Epassy (GK) — 19. Fai, 4. Wooh, 24. Ebosse, 3. N'Koulou, 25. Tolo — 8. Anguissa, 15. Kunde (22. Ntcham 68'), 6. Ngamaleu (2. Ngom Mbekeli 86') — 20. Mbeumo (12. Toko Ekambi 64'), 10. Aboubakar 13. Choupo-Moting

Brazil (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Ederson (GK) — 13. Dani Alves, 14. Militao, 24. Bremer, 16. Alex Telles (4. Marquinhos 54') — 8. Fred (17. Guimaraes 55'), 15. Fabinho — 19. Antony (11. Raphinha 79'), 21. Rodrygo (22. Ribeiro 55'), 26. Martinelli — 18. Gabriel Jesus (25. Pedro 64')

MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Brazil-Q 6 3 2 1 0 3 1 +2
2. Switzerland-Q 6 3 2 1 0 4 3 +1
3. Cameroon 4 3 1 1 1 4 4 0
4. Serbia 1 3 0 2 1 5 8 -3

Cameroon vs. Brazil as it happened, highlights from 2022 World Cup

FULLTIME: It's all over and Vincent Aboubakar's late goal has given Cameroon victory on the night, but it's not enough to keep them in the competition as Switzerland have just beaten Serbia. Brazil still win the group despite this defeat, with Switzerland through in second place.

90+9 mins: What a chance to level! Marquinhos chests the ball down for Bruno Guimaraes, but he cannot get over the bouncing ball and sends his shot over the crossbar. Heads in hands all round for Brazil.

90+8 mins: Gabriel Martinelli miscues in front of goal, and that might be Brazil's last chance gone.

90+7 mins: Marquinhos loops a cross into the area but Bruno Guimaraes times his jump all wrong and cannot get enough power in his header, the ball looping into Devis Epassy's grateful arms.

90+5 mins: So, to remind us where we stand now: Cameroon still need Serbia to score against Switzerland to keep them in the competition. Brazil, meanwhile, could yet finish second in Group G.

RED CARD! 90+3 mins: Vincent Aboubakar took off his shirt to celebrate that goal and, once the celebrations die down, he picks up a second booking of the night and he's off! He doesn't look remotely bothered, you have to say.

(US only)

GOAL! 90+2 mins: Cameroon have broken through! Out of the blue, Jerome Ngom Mbekeli delivers a cross from the right and Vincent Aboubakar meets it with a perfect header, guiding the ball into the bottom corner past the helpless Ederson!

(US only)

90 mins: All hands to the pump for Cameroon now, Christopher Wooh making yet another block to turn behind Gabriel Martinelli's cross. We're into nine minutes of added time.

89 mins: That could have been the moment, Raphinha rolling a pass into Pedro, who spins sharply inside the area but then hurries his shot and lifts the ball over the crossbar.

87 mins: Bruno Guimaraes and Raphinha have injected some pace and urgency into the Brazil attack as they lead another charge. Raphinha loses the ball but Brazil quickly regain possession and Guimaraes attempts to flick on Gabriel Martinelli's pass.

84 mins: Exceptional block from Christopher Wooh, who throws himself at the ball at the near post to prevent Bruno Guimaraes turning in Raphinha's low cross from the right.

82 mins: Brazil break at pace and Gabriel Martinelli shows a clean pair of heels to Vincent Aboubakar, who responds by pulling his man to the floor. As clear a yellow card as you'll see.

80 mins: That said, Cameroon are starting to apply more pressure now. Vincent Aboubakar stands up Dani Alves on the left of the area and creates a little space for a shot that spins up off the Brazil captain and behind for another corner.

78 mins: Oliver Ntcham has Cameroon's first shot in quite a while, letting fly from 25m. The ball comes through a crowd so Ederson sees it late, but he gets down to make the stop.

76 mins: Cameroon aren't really committing men forward as yet, but they'll have to start soon, you'd think.

73 mins: Gabriel Martinelli lays the ball back to Bruno Guimaraes on the edge of the box but the first touch causes the ball to loop up and, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting closing in, the shot sails wildly over the bar.

70 mins: Rigobert Song urging his side on from the sidelines, with time starting to tick away. Cameroon need to pick up the tempo, but don't be surprised if that gives Brazil the chance to pick them off on the break.

67 mins: Good run from Everton Ribeiro, breaking into the penalty area, but Enzo Ebosse gets his tackle just right, sliding in to take the ball.

64 mins: A substitution for each side. Brazil withdraw Gabriel Jesus in favour of Pedro, while Karl Toko Ekambi comes on for Bryan Mbeumo for Cameroon.

63 mins: Gabriel Martinelli has been bright this evening, wriggling down the left and sending in another dangerous cross.

60 mins: With Switzerland in front again, Cameroon are staring down the barrel. All they can do is win here and hope the score in the other game changes.

57 mins: And now another letoff for Devis Epassy, who spills Eder Militao's low effort after it comes at him through a crowd. The ball spins away, the goalkeeper recovering to push it behind with Brazilian attackers closing in.

56 mins: Much better work from Devis Epassy as Gabriel Martinelli is allowed to advance into the area and shot, the goalkeeper pushing it over.

(US only)

55 mins: In fact, it's a triple change for Brazil. Marquinhos is on for Alex Telles while Bruno Guimaraes and Everton Ribeiro replace Fred and Rodrygo.

54 mins: Scramble! Devis Epassy is a lucky man here, coming out to save at Gabriel Jesus' feet with the ball looping up for Rodrygo, who cannot get it down in time and the goalkeeper is, eventually, able to gather.

(UK only)

53 mins: Alex Telles is down against and looks to be in some trouble. Marquinhos is going to take his place.

51 mins: As news comes through Switzerland now lead Serbia 3-2 Cameroon are not too far from taking the lead, Bryan Mbeumo's pass slipped through to Vincent Aboubakar for a shot that flies across Ederson's goal with the keeper scrambling.

48 mins: Alex Telles is down after a hefty collision with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, although it looks like he should be able to continue for now.

46 mins: Cameroon get us going again. They're starting at a sixth successive group exit, although a goal changes all that.

HALFTIME: Brazil have had more of the ball but are yet to find their rhythm, and Bryan Mbeumo's header on the stroke of the interval is the closest either side have come to breaking the deadlock. Brazil are still heading through as Group G winners, but Cameroon need to find a goal from somewhere.

45+3 mins: Save! Moumi Ngamaleu on the left side and Bryan Mbeumo attacks it at the far post, connecting with a fierce downward header that Ederson springs to his right to push away.

(US only)

It's a great ball from 45+2 mins: Gabriel Martinelli dribbles across the face of the penalty area before unleashing a shot that Devis Epassy gets his palms too and the goalkeeper is relieved to see the ball drop on to the top of his net.

From the corner, Antony works a clear routine, playing the ball low into the box. Rodrygo comes shot to meet it at the near post but cannot whip it inside the post.

45+1 mins: We're into the first of four minutes of added time as Switzerland tie things up at 2-2, putting themselves back into second place!

44 mins: Rodrygo's running has caused Cameroon problems so far, and he looks for Antony's run but the pass is too heavy.

Samuel Eto'o is watching on. Cameroon could do with him up front!

(US only)

42 mins: Bryan Mbeumo makes a good late run into the Brazil area, but he's unable to do much with the pass played into him and the ball loops up for Ederson to make an easy catch.

38 mins: Antony's turn to threaten this time, Fred finding his Manchester United teammate on the right. Antony comes inside on to his left foot, but Devis Epassy is right behind his curling effort.

36 mins: Brazil's wide players have looked their best source of a breakthrough so far, Gabriel Martinelli  looking for Rodrygo breaking into the box, but he loses his footing at the crucial moment.

Serbia are now leading Switzerland 2-1, and are up to second in the updated Group G table!

34 mins: Dani Alves is the man over the ball this time, but he curls the ball harmlessly over the bar.

32 mins: Another charging Rodrygo run and another Cameroon defender diving in. This time it's Collins Fai, another yellow card and another free-kick on the edge of the area.

30 mins: Rodrygo, Alex Telles and Dani Alves are all over the free-kick. It's the former who strikes it, but it's straight into the wall.

Serbia have levelled against Switzerland, meaning a win would keep Cameroon in contention.

28 mins: Rodrygo has been quiet so far but bursts into life as he drives at the heart of the Cameroon defence. Pierre Kunde pulls him down, clear yellow card and a free-kick opportunity for Brazil in a decent position, central and 25m out.

25 mins: Brazil slowly cranking up the pressure, Gabriel Martinelli dancing past Collins Fai on the right and only just failing to find Gabriel Jesus in the middle. Christopher Wooh then does well to cut out Antony's cross.

23 mins: News coming in from the other game, where Switzerland have taken the lead. They're through with a win so Xherdan Shaqiri's strike spells bad news for Cameroon.

22 mins: Fred has never scored an international goal and his finish here is high over the crossbar, although in fairness it was a tricky effort, Alex Telles playing in a decent ball that is just behind the Manchester United midfielder.

20 mins: First real sign of danger for Cameroon, a good run from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting taking him into the area. The Bayern Munich forward is crowded out but Cameroon recycle the ball and Ederson is forced to dive to his left to push away.

17 mins: First corner for Brazil but Cameroon's inexperienced backline deals with it relatively well, scrambling the ball away with Eder Militao charging in.

14 mins: That would have been a decent way to mark your first start! Fred looks up to deliver a pinpoint ball from the right and Gabriel Martinelli pulls off his marker before attacking the ball. He makes good contact with his head, Devis Epassy tipping it over.

(US only)

13 mins: Antony is showing for the ball all the time. He's relishing his opportunity to show what he can do.

10 mins: It's been a fairly quiet start in terms of chances or attacking moments, although Brazil look the more likely to put a move together, as you would probably expect.

7 mins: The referee isn't standing for anything here and Eder Militao is also in the book, sticking his foot in on Moumi Ngamaleu and bringing down the Cameroon man.

6 mins: Nouhou Tolo is in for a tough evening. Antony's clever turn takes him past the Cameroon leftback, who dives in to try to win the ball back and succeeds only in felling the Brazil winner to pick up a booking.

(US only)

5 mins: Cameroon's starting central defenders Christopher Wooh and Enzo Ebosse have five caps between them before this game; Brazil's much-changed attack still has the quality and knowhow to make it a baptism of fire.

2 mins: An early warning for Cameroon as Brazil slice through their backline with alarming ease. Antony advancing into a huge area of space down the right. He looks for Fred with his pullback, but the midfielder is stretching and cannot make a clean contact.

KICKOFF: As Brazil get us started, a reminder of how Group G stands at kickoff. Brazil have already qualified for the Round of 16 and will finish first in Group G guaranteed if they avoid defeat. Cameroon, meanwhile, must win and hope Switzerland fail to beat Serbia in order to go through.

3 mins to kickoff: Failure to win would mean Cameroon's elimination from the group stage of the World Cup in their sixth successive appearance at the finals. They last reached the knockout rounds in 1990 and have never won their final group stage game in seven previous appearances at the World Cup (D2 L5).

They seem happy enough, however...

5 mins to kickoff: The teams emerge from the tunnel to an explosion of noise at the Lusail Stadium.

10 mins to kickoff: It's a much-changed Brazil lineup this evening but this is what it means to pull on that famous yellow jersey in this tournament.

(US only)

15 mins from kickoff: Bit of a worrying statistic this for Cameroon, whose prospects are already slender. Brazil have won all seven of their World Cup matches against African sides, scoring 20 goals and conceding just twice.

20 mins from kickoff: Party atmosphere already for Brazil!

30 mins from kickoff: This is the third World Cup game between the sides, Brazil winning 3-0 in 1994 with Romario and Bebeto on the scoresheet and 4-1 on matchday 3 in 2014, Neymar scoring twice and Fred and Fernandinho once each, Joel Matip having briefly made it 1-1.

35 mins from kickoff: An absolute legend of the game is handed the captain's armband for Brazil tonight.

40 mins from kickoff: Cameroon on the pitch at the Lusail Stadium:

50 mins from kickoff: So that's no fewer than nine changes for Brazil, with Fred and Eder Militao the only players to keep their places. Antony and Gabriel Jesus make their first starts at Qatar 2022, while fellow Premier League star Gabriel Martinelli comes in for his full debut.

Cameroon settle for a relatively restrained five new faces, Vincent Aboubakar comes in for Karl Toko Ekambi after scoring against Serbia while Eric Choupo-Moting and Bryan Mbuemo both start.

55 mins from kick-off: And here's the Brazil side, keeping us in suspense before confiming their lineup!

1 hr 5 mins from kickoff: Cameroon have named their starting lineup!

1 hr 15 mins from kickoff: A tall order, but by no means impossible:

1 hr 30 from kickoff: Quite the welcome for Brazil as they arrive at the stadium!

1 hrs 50 from kickoff: An incredible Group H finale has seen South Korea book their place in the World Cup last-16. If Brazil can hold position tonight, Heung-min Son and Co will be their opponents in the next round.

South Korea pulled off a stunning upset over group winners Portugal, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Co 2-1 to dump Ghana and Uruguay out of the tournament.

2 hrs 30 from kickoff: It's a big day for Dani Alves, who will captain Brazil for the first time. With the Samba Boys already through to the last-16 and Tite set to rotate the lineup, 39-year-old Alves gets his chance to start. He replaces Eder Militao at right-back and Thiago Silva as skipper. 

Alves will become the oldest Brazilian to play at a World Cup, and subsequently their oldest World Cup captain. 

Dani Alves of Brazil
Getty Images

3 hrs from kickoff: Cameroon have only taken one point from their opening two games so far and it doesn't get any easier against Brazil today. Still, here's a few encouraging stats for Cameroon!

- Cameroon hold the distinction of being the African team who have qualified for the World Cup on the most occasions (8). 

- They were also the first African nation to reach the quarter finals in 1990 where they lost to England after extra time. 

- However, across their previous eight World Cup tournaments, Cameroon have failed to get out of the group seven times.

3 hrs 30 from kickoff: Brazil will have one eye on the early matches today with Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea all battling it out for second spot in Group H.

Keep up to date with Portugal vs. South Korea and Uruguay vs. Ghana.

4 hrs 15 from kickoff: Could we see another dramatic night for the battle for qualification to the Round of 16 just like we saw with Group E on Thursday? Japan and Spain eventually secured their spots as Germany and Costa Rica went out. Group G should be a bit more straightforward...

4 hrs 45 mins from kickoff: Cameroon must win and hope the match between Switzerland and Serbia goes their way, but today offers a chance to put in a performance to impress the watching world against the pre-tournament favourites.

5 hrs from kickoff: Brazil are through and will most likely win the group, so there is an opportunity today to rest some stars, give some backup players some game time, and enjoy their football!

Cameroon vs. Brazil lineups, team news

First-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana has left Qatar after falling out with manager Rigobert Song over his style of play and was replaced with Devis Epassy against Serbia.

In that match, Vincent Aboubakar starred off the bench with a goal and assist and was rewarded with a start this time out as Rigobert Song made five changes.

Cameroon (4-3-3, right to left): 16. Epassy (GK) — 19. Fai, 4. Wooh, 24. Ebosse, 3. N'Koulou, 25. Tolo — 8. Anguissa, 15. Kunde, 6. Ngamaleu — 20. Mbeumo, 10. Aboubakar 13. Choupo-Moting

Superstar Neymar will once again sit out of this match as he recovers from an ankle injury. The same goes for defender Danilo leaving Brazil a bit shorter than they'd like for this clash.

Premier League stars Gabriel Jesus and Antony made their first starts at the 2022 World Cup while Gabriel Martinelli was included in the starting lineup for the first time as Tite opted to shuffle his pack with nine changes, only Eder Militao and Fred keeping their places.

Brazil (4-2-3-1, right to left): 23. Ederson (GK) — 13. Dani Alves, 14. Militao, 24. Bremer, 16. Alex Telles — 8. Fred, 15. Fabinho — 19. Antony, 21. Rodrygo, 26. Martinelli — 18. Gabriel Jesus  

Cameroon vs. Brazil live stream, TV channel

This final Group G match will be played at Lusail Stadium. Here's how you can watch all the action in some of the major global territories.

  Date Time TV Channel Streaming
USA Fri, Dec 2 14:00 ET Fox,
Telemundo		 fuboTV,
Fox Sports site/app,
Telemundo Deportes site/app,
Peacock
Canada Fri, Dec 2 14:00 ET TSN 1, RDS (French) TSN site/app,
RDS app
UK Fri, Dec 2 19:00 GMT ITV 1, STV ITVX, STV Player
Australia Sat, Dec. 3 06:00 AEDT SBS SBS On Demand
India Sat, Dec 3 00:30 IST Sports 18 Voot, JioTV
Hong Kong Sat, Dec 3 03:00 HKT Now TV (Ch. 616, 618) Now TV
Malaysia Sat, Dec 3 03:00 MYT Astro FIFA World Cup 1 Astro GO
Singapore Sat, Dec 3 03:00 SGT StarHub TV FIFA World Cup,
Singtel FIFA World Cup 142		 Singtel TV GO, CAST,
StarHub TV+, MeWatch
New Zealand Sat, Dec. 3 08:00 NZDT Sky Sport 1 NZ Sky Go, Sky Sport NOW

Watch the match on fuboTV in USA

Andrew Haslam

Andrew Haslam Photo

Andrew Haslam is a freelance journalist with more than 20 years' experience working in football. A long-suffering Middlesbrough fan, as if there's any other kind, he has been a long-standing member of UEFA's digital team with particular focus on press kits and Fantasy football in addition to live match coverage, and has also worked for the Premier League and Chelsea among many other roles.