IN a World Cup of surprises how about this for the Brazil nuttiest of all?
Ultimately one that didn’t actually make a blind bit of difference to either side… yet one that still sent shock waves around the planet.
One for the scrapbook for Cameroon, one for the scrapheap for Brazil. And a definite “come back and join us” message to Neymar into the bargain.
The Selecao’s golden boy had recovered enough from last week’s fever to be able to take his seat in the stands.
Coach Tite will be praying his damaged ankle ligaments are strong enough for him to take his place on the pitch sooner rather than later as well.
Fair enough, this was a second string Brazilian line-up, yet it was still one packed with serial trophy winners. Men like Ederson and Fabinho, Rodrygo and Gabriel Jesus.
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And admittedly none of them are likely to be lining up in Monday’s last 16 clash with South Korea. Well, they hardly enhanced their claims to, at any rate.
Yet it was still Brazil, it was still Cameroon. And in that case, it still makes it one hell of an upset.
What a night, too, for goalscorer Vincent Aboubakar, who frankly had stunk the place out to that point.
But then Aboubakar arrived unseen by Marquinhos to meet Jerome Mbekeli’s superb delivery from the right, Ederson was rooted and the ball was in the corner of the net.
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Cue wild celebrations from the Africans, the bare-chested Cameroon striker held his shirt to the crowd in celebration.
American referee Ismail Elfath promptly gave him a sympathetic smile – before brandishing the second yellow card which brought his night to an end a couple of minutes before his pals.
Not that it will put a dampener on the evening for the man who will dine out for life on the day his header beat Brazil.
They’re making a habit of beating South American giants, are Cameroon. Albeit over three decades apart.
Back in 1990 they memorably dumped Argentina in the opening game of Italia 90. This one didn’t have as much meaning, but given it was Brazil, probably double the emotion.
They can’t say the warning signs weren’t there either, for all the South Americans barely got out of second gear for long periods.
Ederson, so much a spectator that he could have joined his own fans behind the goal for the bulk of this, showed his powers of concentration ain’t bad by pushing out a Bryan Mbeumo header.
Yet in the main it was effectively a game of attack versus defence. One when the outcome was anything but clinical.
Gabriel Martinelli went as close – and was as lively – as anyone, particularly with an early header which Devis Epassy impressively pushed over.
Anthony, Fred, Rodrygo, even centre back Eder Militao all had efforts and all were denied by the Cameroon keeper.
Most definitely a case of they shall not Epassy, at a stadium Brazil hope to grace again for the final in a fortnight.
Of course it will be a totally different side we see when they get down to business again on Monday, this time with no margin for error, no second chance for slackness.
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And of course it will be a much stronger line-up sporting the most famous shirt in football when they do.
But boy, they’ll have to step up a level or two on this or that two decade wait to rule the world is going on for another four years at least.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
