Switzerland vs Cameroon LIVE World Cup 2022: Result, final score and reaction after Breel Embolo goal
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon: Embolo did not celebrate after scoring against the country of his birth, in what proved to be the winner in a lively Group G clash
An apologetic Breel Embolo scored the winner against the country of his birth to hand Switzerland a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in their World Cup Group G clash at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.
Embolo swept home a low Xherdan Shaqiri cross after 48 minutes and then stood still with a rueful frown on his face as his team mates celebrated around him. The 25-year-old was born in Yaounde but raised in Basel.
Cameroon were the better side in the opening half and might have had the lead as Karl Toko Ekambi, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Martin Hongla all missed good chances against a lacklustre Switzerland side that battled to get out of first gear.
But the Swiss were much improved in the second period and took the lead through Embolo’s well-worked goal. Ruben Vargas missed an excellent chance to score a second but was thwarted by goalkeeper Andre Onana as Cameroon ran out of steam.
Follow all the reaction with our live blog below, before attention turns to Uruguay vs South Korea in Group H
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
47 mins: As they did in the first half, Switzerland start off on the front foot. Cameroon drop into their defensive shape.
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
Back underway! No changes at the break.
HALF TIME! Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
Here’s that miss from Akanji. Put your head through it, Manuel!
HALF TIME! Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
This from the The Independent’s Mark Critchley, who is reporting on this morning’s game.
“Currently on a mean average of 3.2 goals per game I've attended, and a median average of 0.”
We’ve had three 0-0s so far - and this encounter did have the feeling of a stalemate before kick-off.
It’s been fun, though, but do either team have the clinical finisher to make the difference in the second half?
HALF TIME! Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
It’s goalless - but it really shouldn’t be. Cameroon have been the better team and have created two or three good opportunities, particularly on the breakaway. Cameroon then took control of possession but Switzerland had the best chance of the half on the stroke of the break. Manuel Akanji passed up a sitter from less than six yards. Miss of the World Cup so far, for me.
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
46+2 mins: CHANCE! How is this still goalless?!
From the corner, Akanji is wide open and has a free header from maybe four yards out - but he just doesn’t get enough on the header and is skims wide!
A golden opportunity - wasted.
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
45 mins: Widmer hangs a cross up but Embolo can’t direct it on target. Oum instead hacks out for a Switzerland corner. There will be two minutes added on...
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
41 mins: Block! Relief for Elvedi. The Swiss centre-back clears a cross straight into Chupo-Moting’s feet. The Bayern Munich striker looks to line up a shot, but Elvedi gets his body in the way.
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
39 mins: Big tackle! Embolo plays a smart one-two and cuts into the Cameroon box at the angle - the shot across goal looked on but Jean-Charles Castelletto recovers to make an important challenge on the stretch. Switzerland head wide from the corner.
Switzerland 0-0 Cameroon
38 mins: This has been fun - Cameroon are on top, but can they get the breakthrough before half-time?
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