Cameroon came into tonight’s game knowing a win was an absolute must if they wanted to get through to the Round of 16.
Brazil knew they had already qualified but they started with a bright front three of Jesus, Martinelli and Antony as they looked to top Group G.
Ahead of the game the Brazil fans held up a tribute to their World Cup legend Pele, after it was announced he was in hospital earlier in the week.
Pele has thanked fans on social media and reassured them that it was just a routine checkup.
Brazil and Cameroon both started brightly in this one, with Antony and Mbeumo causing problems for both defences.
Martinelli had the first real chance of the game though, when Fred lofted in a beautiful cross and Martinelli’s header was tipped over by Epassy.
Dani Alves and Rodrygo also had chances with free kicks, but there wasn’t enough on either of them to trouble keeper Epassy.
Martinelli fired in a shot from distance, as the game entered injury time, but Rodrygo was not able to put in Antony’s subsequent corner.
Cameroon then quickly went up the other end, and Bryan Mbeumo registered the first shot on target Brazil have had against them at this World Cup. Unfortunately for Cameroon it was not enough to trouble Ederson.
Cameroon would be hoping they can create a few more chances like that after the half-time break, to try and get through the group stages, and keep Samuel Eto’o’s prediction of a Cameroon v Morocco final alive.
HT: 0-0
Mbeumo and Aboubakar were back causing problems for Brazil’s defence after the break, but once again they seemed to lack an out-and-out striker who could put the ball in the back of the net.
Despite the best efforts of Jesus and Rodrygo, Epassy was having a brilliant game in goal. Epassy has only recently come in to replace Onana, who had been sent home for supposedly not playing enough long balls.
After another series of excellent saves to deny shots from Martinelli and Militão, there was some concern around the Cameroonian keeper when he went down with an injury. Fortunately Epassy did get back up, otherwise Cameroon could have found themselves down to their third choice goalkeeper, against one of the favourites for the tournament.
With Neymar having an unknown return date on his ankle injury, tonight was the perfect opportunity for any of Brazil’s attacking stars to make a claim for that spot in the team.
Antony was certainly a bright star, but Martinelli looked like a man determined to cement his position in the team tonight, with intricate pieces of play and shots from all around the box.
Bruno Guimarães was also a bright spark when he came onto the field, continuing his great club form at Newcastle this season.
Brazil still looked like they missed that star player though, especially when it came to the set pieces. None of Brazil’s set pieces seemed to cause the Cameroon defence any problems at all.
Just when it looked like the game was petering out, Cameroon found the piece of magic they needed. Substitute Ngom Mbekeli put a wonderful cross into the box and Aboubakar was there to head it beyond Ederson.
That goal was to be Aboubakar’s last action of the game, and potentially the World Cup. The Cameroon striker received a second yellow card, and a cheeky smile from the referee, for taking his shirt off.
It just seemed like whatever Brazil tried tonight they were not going to score.
Cameroon beat the number 1 ranked side in the world to claim their first World Cup win in twenty years. However, it was not enough to see them through to the knockouts, after Switzerland narrowly beat Serbia 3-2.
Brazil will have to pick themselves back up ahead of their knockout game against South Korea on Monday.
FT: 1-0
Cameroon: Epassy, Fai, Wooh, Ebosse, Tolo, Anguissa, Kunde (68), Mbeumo (64), Choupo-Moting, Ngamaleu (86), Aboubakar.
Subs: Ngapandouetnbu, Ngom Mbekeli (86), Ondoua, N’Koudou, Nsame, Bassogog, Toko Ekambi (64), Oum Gwet, Mbaizo, Ntcham (68), Marou
Brazil: Ederson, Alves, Militão, Bremer, Telles (54), Fabinho, Fred (55), Antony (79), Rodrygo (55), Martinelli, Jesus (64).
Subs: Alisson, Silva, Marquinhos (54), Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá, Richarlison, Raphinha (79), Wéverton, Guimarães (55), Júnior, Ribeiro (55), Pedro (64).