The opponent of the Taegeuk Warriors, who completed the ‘Miracle of Doha’, in the round of 16 in Brazil, is a strong candidate for the championship.
Brazil lost 0-1 by conceding the winning goal in extra time in the second half of the 3rd round Group G of the Qatar 2022 World Cup group stage held at Lusail Stadium on the 3rd (Korea time). Despite the record of 2 wins and 1 loss (6 points), Brazil advanced to the round of 16 as first place in Group G, beating Switzerland on goal difference.
Korea and Brazil, who are second in Group H, will compete for tickets to the quarter-finals at the 974 Stadium in Doha at 4am on the 6th.
Switzerland, who beat Serbia 3-2 (2 wins and 1 loss), came second in Group G and advanced to the round of 16. Cameroon (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss), who defeated Brazil , in third place, and Serbia (1 draw, 2 losses) was pushed to last place.
Brazil, who had confirmed their progress to the round of 16 early on, played the game with plenty of time, fielding a large number of non-major players. Big players like Ace Neymar, who injured his ankle, as well as Chiagu Silva, Casemiro, Hischarlisson and Alisson, were not listed in the starting list.
The performance of the Brazilian 1.5 promotion was also excellent. Brazil constantly drove Cameroon throughout the match. However, Brazil were prevented from scoring throughout the first half by a brilliant display from Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epasi. Striker Anthony aimed for a goal with a great left foot kick from the right flank on 38 minutes of the first half, but Epasi blocked it.
In the extra time of the first half, Gabriel Marchinelli’s right-footed shot and Rodrygo’s inside kick were all in the hands of Epasi.
The second half was similar. Brazil were constantly aiming for the Cameroon goal, and the ball was either caught in the goalkeeper’s hand or missed the goal. In the 39th minute of the second half, substitute Bruno Guimaraes’ shot flew just to the left of the goal.
Brazil conceded the winning goal in extra time in the second half. Cameroon’s Jerome Ngom Mbekelly cut through the right flank on a counterattack and fired in a cross, which Vincent Abubakar finished with a header. It was Brazil’s first loss of the tournament and their first goal.
Switzerland had a thrilling one-point win after a sluggish festival at Stadium 974. The team’s signature player, Xherdan Shaqiri, opened the door with his left foot in the 20th minute of the first half. He became the first Swiss player to score in three consecutive World Cup tournaments. In the 26th minute of the first half, Serbia took the ball near the halfway line, and Aleksandar Mitrović headed Dushan Tadic’s cross, equalizing it.
Serbia turned the tide. In the 34th minute of the first half, Tadic intercepted the Swiss ball and connected it with Dushan Blahovic, who was digging through the middle. Blahovic led the comeback 2-1 by aiming for the left corner of the goal while balancing his body. Switzerland, who were on the verge of being knocked out in the round of 16, ended the first half with a 2-2 draw as Vrel Embolo headed home a low cross from Zilvan Witmer in the 44th minute.
Switzerland’s winning goal came in the third minute of the second half. When Ruben Vargas sod the ball from the middle, Remo Freuiler split the net and managed to reverse the turn.
Switzerland progressed to the round of 16 in three consecutive tournaments, and will play Portugal in the round of 16 at 4am on the 7th.
Senior Correspondent Lim Byung-son
