Cameroon will look to produce one of the biggest shocks of the 2022 FIFA World Cup this Friday when they face tournament favourites Brazil at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)
Key Statistics
Cameroon are winless in their last six games (D3, L4).
They have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games.
Brazil have scored exactly three times in five of their seven previous World Cup wins over African opposition.
They have won their last nine games, keeping seven clean sheets.
Brazil are unbeaten in their last 17 games (W14, D3).
World Cup trivia: For at least another four years, Didi (1954), Jairzinho (1970) and Romário (1994) are guaranteed to remain the only Brazilians to have scored in every group game of a post-war finals featuring 16+ teams (1954-present).
Head to head
In five meetings between both sides, Brazil have four wins against Cameroon (L1).
Latest performances in all competitions
Cameroon: D-L-D-D-L
Brazil: W-W-W-W-W
Cameroon
Cameroon kept their hopes of qualifying from a FIFA World Cup group for the first time in 32 years alive last time out when they came back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a draw against Serbia last time out.
In an entertaining game at Al Janoub Stadium, the Indomitable Lions scored first through Jean-Charles Castelletto just before the half-hour mark.
But two quick-fire goals from Strahinja Pavlovic and Savic-Sergej Milinkovic put Serbia in command going into the first-half break. Aleksandar Mitrovic put Serbia 3-1 ahead in the 53rd minute to put some daylight between them and Cameroon.
However, two goals in three minutes thanks to a goal by substitute Vincent Aboubakar and the in-form Choupo-Moting put Cameroon back on level terms with the game ending 3-3.
However, the five-time AFCON champions still have no choice but to go all out for victory in their Group G finale if they want to qualify for the next round. But even with a win, they would still not be enough unless Switzerland can beat Serbia in the other Group G game.
As if the situation wasn’t difficult enough, no African team has beaten Brazil for nearly two decades. Cameroon’s 1-0 FIFA Confederations Cup win over the Seleção in 2003 remains the only time a CAF-region team has ever beaten Brazil or kept a clean sheet against them – with current coach Rigobert Song captaining the starting XI on the day.
Possible Cameroon starting line-up
Devis Epassy, Collins Fai, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nicolas N’Koulou, Nouhou Tolo, Andre Zambo Anguissa, Pierre Kunde, Martin Hongla, Bryan Mbeumo, Eric Choupo-Moting, Karl Toko Ekambi.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Brazil
Brazil made it two wins in two group stage games last time out when they recorded a 1-0 win over Switzerland on Monday courtesy of Casemiro’s late strike.
The victory over Switzerland secured their safe passage to the knockout stage and extended their winning run in all competitions to nine games.
The Seleção will now hope to sign out of the group stage in style as they pursue their record-breaking sixth world title this year.
Ahead of this tournament, Brazil had won their World Cup group stage for ten straight campaigns and will fancy their chances of doing so here. That will require them to avoid defeat here, something they can do even though head coach Tite is expected to make wholesale changes to his starting line-up. This is because the likes of 1950 showpiece conquerors Uruguay, high-scoring Ghana and Euro 2016 winners Portugal potentially lie in wait just days later.
Meanwhile, Brazilian stopper Alisson, who could complete a hat-trick of group-stage shutouts – something attained by only three other goalkeepers this century before the current tournament, will be expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
Possible Brazil starting line-up
Alisson, Éder Militão, Bremer, Thiago Silva, Alex Telles, Lucas Paquetá, Fabinho, Bruno Guimarães, Rodrygo, Gabriel Jesus, Vinícius Júnior..
Injured: Neymar
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Odds
| Cameroon to win | Draw | Brazil to win | |
| Odds | 8.00 | 5.00 | 1.36 |
| Probability (%) | 12 | 19 | 69 |
Prediction
Cameroon 0-3 Brazil
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
