The Serbians score twice, but they are unable to prevent the Swiss from capturing their second Group G victory. Which comes after Brazil loses in overtime. Cameroon scored in the final minute to defeat Brazil. Switzerland won their final Group G game with three goals against a weak Serbian defense. However, the results had no real impact on the group because Brazil and Switzerland both qualified for the Round of 16.
The Swiss have advanced past the group stage for the third World Cup in a row. Switzerland could afford to look at the Brazil-Cameroon result in hopes of progressing to the next round. Whereas Serbia needed to win to qualify for the knockout stages. When Serbian veteran Xherdan Shaqiri scored with a powerful drive in the 20th minute, the Swiss scored first. Serbia may have reason to be hopeful despite being down one goal in the World Cup group stage. Which has seen giants fall and results fluctuate widely.
As a result, it came as no surprise when the Serbian struck twice quickly. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored the first goal with a header that he promptly deposited in the far bottom corner. With an equalizer in hand, Serbia was once more allowed into the match and the group when the Swiss’s lackadaisical defense gave Serbia another chance. This time, Shaqiri lost possession in the middle of the field. Ajax mainstay Dusan Tadic, who is always good for a pass that splits the defense, was able to sneak the ball in.
Dusan Vlahovic got possession when the Swiss defense should have easily cleared the ball away.
The Juventus striker slid the ball past Gregor Kobel with a left-footed shot. Serbia suddenly moved up to second in Group G, from last. However, that situation was short-lived as Breel Embolo scored again for Switzerland, this time via a tap-in following a Silvan Widmer pass just as the first half was about to end. Embolo has scored four goals in five games for his nation.
In stark contrast to the other game in Group G, Brazil, who started as a second-string team and had qualified for the next round, were goalless against Cameroon at halftime. Similar to almost every other match in the group stage, a victory for Cameroon would make things more difficult in the group.
The Swiss started the second half the same way they finished the first. This move was also centered on Shaqiri. The winger delivered a delicate dink over the Serbian defense after receiving a pass from Embolo.
Ruben Vargas received that ball over the top and matched Shaqiri’s skill with a deft no-look heel pass to Remo Frueler, who converted to give Switzerland the lead and second place in the group back.
The Serbians now faced a mountain with two goals to climb. Additionally, they would not be able to conquer it. The Serbians slowed down toward the end of the game because the third goal had taken the wind out of their sails.
On the opposite finish of Doha, Cameroon struck in injury time. Vincent Aboubakar met a right-wing cross from Ngom Mbeki. He ghosted between the Brazil center backs and was rewarded for his stealth. Despite their defeat, Brazil maintained their lead in Group G thanks to their superior goal difference.
A World Cup that featured a highly competitive group stage came to an end. Brazil and Switzerland turned into the last groups to go through the Knockout stages. Cameroon prevailed in the end. Serbia, which was expected to do well in the tournament, lost out right away.