After a high spirited clash in Match 12 of the FIFA World Cup 2022 which saw Belgium score a tight victory over Canada, it was time for another equally weighted match where Cameroon took on Switzerland, where the latter registered a 1-0 victory to take 3 points on the points table. Breel Embolo scored the solitary winning goal to give his side the victory at the Al Janoub Stadium.
The match begins with a few attacking moves by Switzerland who try to score an early opening but fail as the Cameroon defenders deny them opportunities, clearing the ball away comfortably. Cameroon then started showing some promising attacks in the fist half after a bit of a slow start, although not many shots on target yet. They were now nicely working the ball in the box in an attempt to create more opportunities.
Bryan Mbeumo broke through in the 10th minute to create the first scoring opportunity for Cameroon, but the Swiss defenders thwarted his attempt. Karl Toko Ekambi also had a close chance at scoring as his shot just passed over the crossbar. A well-timed low pass from Xherdan Shaqiri found Swiss attacker Embolo standing alone and a few yards from the goal in the 48th minute, where he was able to score his team’s goal and take a much-needed lead over the opposition.
Four minutes later, when Swiss Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji’s pocket was grabbed by Eric Maxim Choupo Moting, Cameroon was once more engaged. The Cameroon captain, a former Stoke and current Bayern Munich player, rushed forward, but Sommer was able to stop him because his shot lacked a good connection.
Embolo had the best chance for the European team to score with six minutes left in the half, but was stopped by a well timed challenge from Jean-Charles Castelletto. Akanji climbed high to send a header from six yards wide as the half came to a conclusion. Choupo-Moting managed to elude his defenders on the right touchline in the 57th minute, but Sommer blocked his attempt to cross the ball into the six-yard box.
Switzerland twice missed scoring a second goal in the second half. First, Zambo Anguissa’s crucial intervention prevented Embolo from converting the ensuing corner, and then, after more outstanding work from Shaqiri down the right, Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana saved a shot from Ruben Vargas.
Murat Yakin’s team had already accomplished enough despite Seferovic’s brilliant last-ditch block by Castelletto and Swiss captain Granit Xhaka’s low shot from beyond the area being stopped by Onana.
Despite the fact that they largely controlled the final few minutes of the game, Cameroon was unable to score in the extra time, and the instant the referee blew the whistle, the game was finished. In their opening game, Switzerland prevailed 1-0 over the tenacious Cameroon. Since losing its first World Cup finals match in 2002, Cameroon has lost eight straight.
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