With qualification already in the bag after wins over Serbia and Switzerland, Brazil still won Group G, ahead of Switzerland on goal difference, and will face Group H runners-up South Korea, who beat Portugal 2-1, in the next round.
Cameroon, whose last win at the World Cup was in 2002 against Saudi Arabia, were on the back foot for most of the match but sprung to life at the death. Aboubakar powered a header past Ederson then was sent off for collecting a second yellow for taking off his jersey in celebration. The match played out in a relatively subdued atmosphere in the cavernous Lusail Stadium, the tournament’s biggest venue, with Brazil’s reserves eager to impress but Tite’s side unable to assert their usual flair. Gabriel Martinelli was Brazil’s livliest player and nearly put the five-time champions ahead in the 14th minute when he was picked out by Fred’s ball over the top, but the Arsenal forward’s header drew a fine reaction save from Devis Epassy.
Cameroon offered nearly no attacking threat until the first half injury time, when Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu’s cross was met with a powerful downward header by Bryan Mbeumo that Ederson clawed away one-handed at full stretch. Tite had seen enough and made a triple change soon after the interval, bringing on Marquinho for the injured Alex Telles, and replacing Rodrygo and Fred with Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Guimaraes.
The substitutes stirred Brazil into a sudden flurry of chances with Epassy forced into action three times in as many minutes.
First, Martinelli stung the Cameroon keeper’s palms with a snap shot in the 56th minute.
Next, Eder Militao tried his luck from the ensuing corner coaxing a fumble out of the Cameroon keeper, who recovered to scramble the ball out to safety, before the lively Antony got in on the act, forced Epassy into a diving save to keep out his curling effort.
Tite sent on Pedro in the 64th minute and Rafinha in the 79th as Brazil sought to save their perfect record in the group, but Cameroon clung on until Aboubakar arrived in the right place at the right time to seize his moment.
Pele has respiratory infection, but doing ‘better’: doctors
Sao Paulo: Brazilian football legend Pele, who was hospitalised this week amid ongoing cancer treatments, has developed a respiratory infection, but is in stable condition and “showing general improvement,” his doctors said yesterday.The 82-year-old icon, who has been in fragile health in recent years, was hospitalized on Tuesday in Sao Paulo for what doctors said was a “reevaluation” of the chemotherapy he has been undergoing since surgery to remove a colon tumour in September 2021.
“The medical team diagnosed him with a respiratory infection, which is being treated with antibiotics,” the hospital said in a statement.
“The patient’s response has been adequate, and he remains in a standard room,” not intensive care, it said.
“He is stable and his health is showing general improvement. (He) will remain in the hospital in the coming days to continue treatment.”
Pele’s public appearances have grown increasingly rare, but he maintains an active presence on social media.
On Thursday, he took to Instagram to thank well-wishers for their messages, posting a photo from World Cup host country Qatar, where his picture was projected in lights on a skyscraper.
“It’s always nice to receive positive messages like this. Thanks to Qatar for this tribute, and to everyone who sends me good vibes!” he wrote, describing his hospital stay as a routine visit.
Pele got more messages of support ahead of five-time champions Brazil’s World Cup match against Cameroon yesterday.
Fans at Lusail stadium held up a giant green-and-yellow banner with a picture of Pele in his iconic number 10 jersey and the message, “Get well soon.”
The same message was displayed on the avenue outside the stadium.
Considered by many the greatest footballer of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento - Pele’s real name - is the only player in history to win three World Cups (1958, 1962 and 1970). (AFP)
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