World Cup day 9 – LIVE: Portugal face Uruguay; Brazil qualify; Cameroon & Serbia entertain; Ghana win
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 chaos, however, as Cameroon’s draw with Serbia was a cracker and Ghana’s dramatic victory over South Korea was no less entertaining.
Brazil’s victory over Switzerland was a tricky watch but hopefully Portugal and Uruguay can take us home on a high.
Follow our live blog below for updates throughout the day.
Portugal: Costa, Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mendes, Neves, Carvalho, Fernandes, Silva, Felix, Ronaldo
Uruguay: Rochet, Gimenez, Godin, Coates, Oliveira, Varela, Vecino, Bentancur, Valverde, Nunez, Cavani
Brazil sealed their spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup with the ugliest of victories over Switzerland at Stadium 974.
A game devoid of any real quality was brought to life five minutes from time thanks to a glorious strike from Casemiro, whose fizzing half-volley finally beat Yann Sommer and booked the Selecao’s place in the next round.
It was an ugly first half for Brazil, who looked devoid of quality in the absence of Neymar, and Switzerland did a superb job of keeping them at bay.
A tough start to life without Neymar
Vinicius Junior thought he’d opened the scoring around the hour mark but the automated offside system clocked Richarlison had wandered earlier in the move and ruled it out.
It seemed as though a bore draw was on the cards before Casemiro found his way into the box and drilled home the winner.
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
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.