World Cup

RIGOBERT SONG sent first-choice keeper Andre Onana home after a row over playing style – but his Cameroon side might not be on the flight behind after all. The Indomitable Lions lived up to their nickname with a stunning fightback from 3-1 down to keep their slim qualification hopes alive. 
Vincent Aboubakar produced a wonderful scoop for CameroonCredit: Reuters
Cameroon still have a chance of going throughCredit: Reuters
Aleksandar Mitrovic thought he had won it for Serbia when he put them 3-1 aheadCredit: PA
Sublime substitute Vincent Aboubakar was the hero, turning the game on its head in three incredible minutes with a sensational lob before teeing up Eric Choupo-Moting. 
An incredible game, Cameroon took the lead but looked dead and buried after goals from Strahinja Pavlovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic. 
They still have to beat Brazil in their final group game to stand a chance of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since 1990. 
And Serbia have a mountain to climb too after collapsing at the Al Janoub Stadium, needing a win against Switzerland to stay in the hunt. 
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Cameroon fans were shocked an hour before kick-off when there was no sign of Onana in the line-up. 
Multiple reports stated the Inter Milan stopper was sent packing from Qatar after a row with head coach Song over their playing style, with David Epassy chucked in at the last minute. 
And the central Africans could have been out of it within 17 minutes but for the woodwork and a shocking miss by Aleksandar Mitrovic. 
And it looked like that clanger would prove costly for Serbia’s hopes when Jean-Charles Castelletto bundled a corner home at the back post after a flick-on from centre-back partner Nicolas Nkoulou. 
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But the Balkans shot back and struck twice in injury time to take a 2-1 lead into the break. 
Pavlovic was first, out-muscling Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa to head Dusan Tadic’s free-kick beyond Devis Epassy. 
While there was not much he could do with that one, his clanger put them behind moments later. 
Minlinkovic-Savic’s strike from the top of the box was decent enough but the number two got a big hand on it diving to his left – only to deflect the ball into the corner. 

And it looked like game, set and match 53 minutes in when Mitrovic finished off a stunning move. 
Tadic won it on halfway, Mitrovic broke and four passes later he finished it off from close range. 
But Cameroon – and Aboubakar in particular – were far from done.
Thrown on in desperation in the 55th minute, he narrowly beat the offside trap before a ridiculous scoop over giant 6ft 9in keeper Vanka Milinkovic-Savic, brother of Sergej. 
It was given offside but overruled, and three minutes later he raced away in behind again, with Serbia all at sea, before squaring for Choupo-Moting to bury. 
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Aboubakar, 30, plays in Saudi Arabia but was the top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year with eight goals. 
They could not find the winner but still have a fighting chance to escape Group G. 
Jean-Charles Castelletto lost his marker to tap in at the back postCredit: Reuters
Strahinja Pavlovic powered in a superb headerCredit: EPA
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic turned the game on its head just before half-timeCredit: AP
Mitrovic rounded off a superb passing moveCredit: Getty
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting buried at the back post to level it upCredit: Getty
Castelletto opened the scoring in the World Cup goal festCredit: EPA More

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD reminded England boss Gareth Southgate what he’s capable off with a series of stunning goals in World Cup training.The Liverpool right-back, 24, is yet to make an appearance at the winter tournament.

Alexander-Arnold is yet to feature at the World CupCredit: Getty
England veteran Kieran Trippier, who has a World Cup semi-final goal and a Euro final assist, has been preferred with Kyle Walker yet to return to fitness and Reece James out injured.
But after England’s goal-shy 0-0 draw with USA, Reds defender Alexander-Arnold sent boss Southgate a timely reminder of what he can provide on the pitch – especially in the final third.
Alexander-Arnold posted four clips of him scoring outrageous goals in England training.
In the first video, the Three Lions ace took one touch before sweeping the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and into the top left corner.
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Alexander-Arnold picked out the same spot in the second clip, but this time Ramsdale was left rooted to the spot.
In the third video; poor first touch? No problem.
Alexander-Arnold sent his strike crashing off the underside of the crossbar and in.
And the fourth and final shot was taken on his weaker left foot and he fired into the top right corner.
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Southgate has already hinted that Phil Foden could be unleashed on Wales in England’s final group game, but whether Alexander-Arnold is as well is yet to be seen.
He said: “We will see. We want to win football matches and we want to try to top the group if we can.
“So we’ve got to make sure there is some consistency in what we do and our performances are healthy.
“There is always a balance of finding game time for players. But the priority is to win games, we have to win football matches.
“We are going to play a team who are wounded. Who are going to have very high motivation to beat us.
“We’ve got to be tactically correct and find our best level.
“We’ve got to make sure we are composed but also that we play with a real attacking vigour.”
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BRAZIL are set to name Fred as the replacement for superstar Neymar in their starting XI. Neymar, 30, went off injured during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia in their opening game at the Qatar World Cup.
Fred is set to replace Neymar in the Brazil teamCredit: Getty
Neymar picked up an ankle injury during the 2-0 win over SerbiaCredit: PA
This has cleared the way for divisive Manchester United star Fred to come into the starting XI.
Brazil boss Tite has more natural attacking replacements such as Antony and Rodrygo available for selection.
But instead he is set to opt for Fred, 29, in order to help free up defensive responsibility for Lucas Paqueta when they face Switzerland later today.
Tite hinted at the switch, saying: “Sometimes we see it in the movies where someone who isn’t the star steals the scene.”
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Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes is also being considered for a promotion off the bench, but Fred’s partnership with Casemiro at club level and for Brazil for the last few years could sway the decision.
There were fears Neymar’s tournament was over after suffering ligament damage in his ankle, with the attacker sharing a post of his swollen foot and a compression boot he is using to Instagram.
However, the recovery of Neymar – along with crocked full back Danilo – is going well according to Tite, though the Paris Saint-Germain ace may not feature again until the knockout rounds.
Tite added: “I believe both Neymar and Danilo will play again in the World Cup. I have medical reports that are on my side.
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“Both situations have improved and we believe both will be available to play. We have to live day by day.
“I blame myself with Neymar because I didn’t see that he was injured and he played on for 10 or 11 minutes.”
Despite the positive progress on Neymar’s recovery, Tite has called for more protection for his players in Qatar.
He said: “The foul that hurt Neymar was not malicious. It was an accident. But if you want to celebrate football you have got to punish the rotation of fouls.” More