World Cup day 9 – LIVE: Switzerland holding Brazil; Ghana win; Cameroon & Serbia entertain, Portugal to play
It’s the saddest time of the 2022 World Cup, folks – the final day in which four matches are evenly spread apart.
Yep, starting from Tuesday, group games will run concurrently ahead of the knockout stages. Enjoy the madness of the final back-to-back-to-back-to-back day while you can.
It was a fun way to say goodbye to the four-game madness, however, as Cameroon’s draw with Serbia was a cracker and Ghana’s dramatic victory over South Korea was no less entertaining.
Group G returns with Brazil against Switzerland before Portugal take on Uruguay at prime time.
Follow our live blog below for updates throughout the day.
Honestly, that was a bit rubbish.
Switzerland have done an excellent job of keeping Brazil at bay but have found it tough to break Tite’s side down, leading to a first half with no real threat on either goal.
39′ – Cleared by Brazil
Not a lot really going on here but a moment of panic by Brazil as Vargas finds an inch of space in the box, only to be swarmed by the Selecao backline.
27′ – Save from Sommer!
We’ve finally had some action worth talking about!
Vinicius Junior gets in at the back post but his connection isn’t pure. It’s his knee that sends the ball towards goal, perhaps giving Yann Sommer just enough time to get over to make an impressive save.
21′ – Half chances for Brazil
Brazil haven’t conjured up much thus far. Lucas Paqueta’s cross towards Richarlison is inches away from finding its target but ends up being comfortably cleared by the Swiss backline.
14′ – No fear from Switzerland
The Swiss aren’t scared here. They’re controlling the ball and happy to push numbers into the Brazil half when the opportunity arises.
5′ – Sloppy from Brazil
Two sloppy pieces of play from Alisson in the Brazil net have invited pressure from Switzerland. A nervy start from the Selecao stopper.
Brazil: Alisson, Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Sandro, Casemiro, Fred, Pacqueta, Vinicius, Raphinha, Richarlison
Switzerland: Sommer, Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Embolo, Freuler, Xhaka, Rodriguez, Sow, Vargas, Rieder
South Korea are facing an early elimination after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Ghana.
The Asian side were dominant in the first 20 minutes without really asking any questions of Ghana, who took a surprise lead through Mohammed Salisu with their first real attack.
Ten minutes later, Ghana had a second as Jordan Ayew’s excellent cross was finished off by Mohammed Kudus, and given South Korea hadn’t even managed a shot on target by this point, it looked done and dusted.
However, two goals in quick succession from Cho Gue-Sung tied things up on the hour mark and set up an enthralling final half hour.
A tale of two halves
The score wasn’t tied for too long though as the Black Stars went back ahead through Kudus‘ composed strike.
South Korea pushed and pushed for an equaliser but just couldn’t find one, and they were incensed at full time after arguing that they should have had more time for a late corner. Referee Anthony Taylor was having none of it and showed manager Paulo Bento a red card.
Cameroon and Serbia played out one of the games of the tournament in Monday’s early kick-off.
The Indomitable Lions had to weather an early storm before taking the lead against the run of play, with Jean-Charles Castelletto tapping in at the far post from a corner.
But Serbia scored twice in first half stoppage time to go into the break ahead. Strahinja Pavlovic equalised with a header, before Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fired in at the near post shortly after.
Aleksandar Mitrovic added a third at the end of a sweeping move as the Eagles looked to romp to victory, but Cameroon had other ideas.
Substitute Vincent Aboubakar raced clear and scored with a wonderful dink presuming that he was going to be flagged offside, but a VAR check revealed he was played on by Nikola Milenkovic and the goal stood.
Moments later, Milenkovic once again played the striker on, allowing his cross for Eric-Maxim Chuopo Moting and subsequent tap-in to stand to rescue a point.
How did Cameroon come back?
Serbia had a lot more of the ball and at times played some wonderful football, but they were punished for their wastefulness and lapses in concentration.
Cameroon, who had dropped star goalkeeper Andre Onana from the squad prior to kick-off, showed their mental toughness and kept fighting, ultimately creating the game’s biggest chances and grabbing three deserved goals.
Preview
Brazil and Switzerland meet in the group stage for a second successive World Cup.
The two sides opened their respective campaigns back in 2018 with a draw after Steven Zuber cancelled out a goal from Philippe Coutinho.
A win for either side here will see them book their place in the last 16.
Preview
Portugal will be out to avenge their 2018 loss to Uruguay with a group stage win in Monday’s final match.
A double from Edinson Cavani either side of Pepe’s equaliser saw La Celeste dump Cristiano Ronaldo and co out of the last tournament at the last 16 stage.
The Selecao will advance back to the knockout rounds with three points, but Uruguay could be on the verge of an early elimination with defeat.