World Cup

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World Cup | Group Stage

Dec 2, 2022 at 7pm UK

Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde

Cameroon
1 - 0
Brazil

Aboubakar (90+2')
Tolo (6'), Kunde (28'), Fai (32'), Aboubakar (81')
Aboubakar (90+3')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Militao (7'), Guimaraes (85')

World Cup 2022: Reasons for Cameroon to be confident of beating Brazil

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 01 December 2022

Ahead of Friday's World Cup Group G clash between Cameroon and Brazil, Sports Mole looks at three reasons why Cameroon can be confident of picking up a famous victory.

Cameroon will endeavour to reach the last 16 of the World Cup for just the second time in their history when they take on five-time world champions Brazil in their final Group G fixture at Lusail Stadium on Friday.

The Indomitable Lions suffered a slender 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match of the 2022 tournament in Qatar, before playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Serbia on Monday.

With just one point on the board, Cameroon currently sit third in Group H, two points behind Ghana in second place, and Rigobert Song needs to steer his side to victory against Brazil if they are to have any chance of progressing to the last 16.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at three reasons why Cameroon can be confident of picking up a much-needed win against Brazil in their quest to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Mass changes on the cards for Brazil?

Brazil head coach Tite pictured on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

Brazil were the second nation at this year's World Cup to book their place in the last 16 with a game to spare, and they are now in a strong position to secure top spot in Group G.

With that in mind, Tite may consider freshening up his starting lineup for Friday's contest, which could therefore benefit Cameroon's chances of success.

In the absence of injured Selecao star Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha supported Richarlison in attack against Switzerland, but all three players may be given a rest on Friday. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli and Flamengo's Pedro are both in contention to make their first international starts, while Rodrygo and Antony, who have just 22 caps between them, are also in the running for a starting berth.

First-choice full-backs Danilo and Alex Sandro are also ruled out with injuries, and although Eder Militao started at right-back against Switzerland, 39-year-old Dani Alves – who now plies his trade with Mexican side UNAM Pumas – has been tipped to start on the right side of the back four. Alex Telles, meanwhile, is the most likely candidate to replace Sandro at left-back.

Juventus central defender Bremer, who has played just 45 minutes for the Brazil national team, has also been tipped to start his first-ever international game ahead of either Marquinhos or captain Thiago Silva. Such changes by Tite would seemingly make his Brazil side weaker for Friday's match, which on paper would give Cameroon a better chance.

Rigobert Song confident of causing an upset

Cameroon manager Rigobert Song on November 24, 2022 © Reuters

Cameroon understandably head into Friday's game against Brazil as major underdogs, but head coach Rigobert Song has expressed his confidence of causing an upset, citing their fightback against Serbia as a potential turning point in their group-stage campaign.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Song said: "What was important was to show that great fighting spirit and determination [against Serbia]. We reacted as well as we could [at 3-1 down] to get back into the match. We are progressing and improving.

"It is possible to beat Brazil. We believe in ourselves, we did not come here to just go through the motions. Cameroon still has a contribution to make to this tournament."

Cameroon are sure to be inspired by the seismic shocks caused by Saudi Arabia and Japan with their victories against Argentina and Germany respectively earlier in this year's tournament, and Song has faith in his side's abilities to pick up a historic triumph against Brazil.

Experienced heads leading the line

Cameroon's experienced attacking trio Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 33, Karl Toko Ekambi, 30, and captain Vincent Aboubakar, 30, could be key to helping the Indomitable Lions become the first nation to breach Brazil's backline in Qatar.

Indeed, Aboubakar became the first substitute to both score and assist a goal in a World Cup match for an African nation in the 3-3 draw with Serbia last time out. His goal involvements helped Cameroon fight back from 3-1 down to restore parity within just 11 second-half minutes.

After scoring with an impressive scooped chip just after the hour mark, Aboubakar then teed up Bayern Munich's Choupo-Moting for the equaliser, and both forwards, along with Lyon's Toko Ekambi, are in contention to lead the line on Friday.

Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting and Toko Ekambi each have over 50 international caps and have scored 66 goals between them for Cameroon, while the rest of Song's 26-man squad have only scored 20 goals combined, so there is a major reliance on the attacking trio to find the net.