Cameroon break African World Cup record in shock win over Brazil
Cameroon have established a new World Cup record for African nations after securing a last-gasp 1-0 win over Brazil in their final Group G match at Lusail Stadium on Friday.
A second-string Selecao lineup dominated proceedings throughout the contest, but Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner, directing a brilliant header into the bottom-right corner before receiving a second yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration.
The Indomitable Lions held on to claim their first World Cup win in 20 years, but it was not enough to book their place in the last 16 after Switzerland secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Serbia, with the former now joining Brazil in the knockout rounds.
Nevertheless, Cameroon have become the first African nation in World Cup history to beat five-time world champions Brazil on the biggest international stage.
The Selecao had previously won all seven of their World Cup encounters against African opposition, scoring 20 goals and conceding just twice in the process.
Two of those World Cup victories came against Cameroon, with a 3-0 victory in the 1994 tournament followed by a 4-1 success in 2014.
Ghana, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Zaire have also suffered defeat to Brazil at the World Cup, but Rigobert Song’s men bow out at the 2022 tournament in Qatar as the first African side to beat the most successful nation in the competition’s history.
The Indomitable Lions have also ended Brazil’s record 17-game unbeaten group-stage run at the World Cup, as well as their 17-game unbeaten run across all competitions, with the Selecao losing their first game since Argentina beat them 1-0 in the 2021 Copa America final.
In addition, Cameroon’s triumph over Brazil is their first against the South American giants for 19 years since they secured a slender 1-0 win at the 2003 Confederations Cup.
While Cameroon’s World Cup journey in Qatar comes to an end, Brazil will now prepare for Monday’s last-16 tie against South Korea, who secured a surprise 2-1 win over Portugal to seal second place in Group H.
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