DOHA – Switzerland reached the FIFA World Cup last 16 for the third consecutive time after beating Serbia 3-2 at Stadium 974 here yesterday.
Murat Yakin’s side even had a chance to top Group G if they could score one more in the stoppage time, as Brazil was stunned by Cameroon 1-0 in the other game of the group, Xinhua reported.
Brazil and Switzerland both finished the group stage with two wins and one loss, but the five-time champions were ahead on goal difference.
Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring sheet last night in the 20th minute as he smashed home a pass from Djibril Sow.
Switzerland would secure a berth in the round of 16 if they avoid a defeat while Serbia needed a victory to progress.
Strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic both found the target in the first half to gift Serbia a 2-1 lead, but the score was levelled again one minute before the break as Breel Embolo tapped in a Silvan Widmer cross to pocket his second goal in the tournament.
Serbia’s shaky defence allowed too much room for their opponents, and they suffered another blow three minutes into the second half when Shaqiri’s pass met Ruben Vargas, who set up Remo Freuler’s goal with a brilliant back-heel pass.
Switzerland will take on Portugal in the last 16 while Brazil face South Korea.
Meanwhile, Vincent Aboubakar scored late as Cameroon secured a shock 1-0 victory over Brazil, but the result was not enough to prevent the African side’s elimination.
Aboubakar sent a header past goalkeeper Ederson after Jerome Ngom Mbekeli’s perfectly weighted cross in the 92nd minute as the Indomitable Lions became the first African team to beat Brazil at the World Cup.
The victory left Cameroon with four points from their three group matches, two points behind Switzerland. Brazil finished top of the group, having won their first two games against Serbia and Switzerland.
The five-time world champions will face South Korea in the round of 16 at Stadium 974 on Monday. – Bernama, December 3, 2022
