After falling to a slender defeat to Switzerland on Matchday 1, Cameroon were down and out after Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Serbia a 3-1 lead over the Indomitable Lions in the second half of their second group game.

In need of a spark (and some), manager Rigobert Song turned to veteran forward Vincent Aboubakar who inspired an unlikely comeback. The striker’s scoop brought Cameroon back into the contest before he teed up Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for the equaliser.

The dramatic 3-3 draw means they’re still alive, but they must beat Brazil on Matchday 3 to have any chance of progressing from Group G.

Here’s the starting XI Song could pick for their decisive Matchday 3 encounter.

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GK: Devis Epassy – Andre Onana’s replacement didn’t cover himself in glory against Serbia, but it’d be surprising to see Song opt for his third-choice keeper against Brazil.

RB: Collins Fai – The versatile veteran is a dependable member of the Cameroon defence, but he was taken to the cleaners by Filip Kostic last time out.

CB: Jean-Charles Castelletto – Castelletto scored Cameroon’s first World Cup goal since 2014 on Matchday 2.

CB: Nicolas Nkoulou – Booked against Serbia, the experienced Nkoulou has led the Cameroon backline for quite some time. There’s no chance he’s dropped for this one.

LB: Nouhou Tolo – The Seattle Sounders full-back has impressed in Qatar and will continue on the left side of defence. The 25-year-old may earn a move to Europe off the back of this campaign.

CM: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa – Anguissa’s enjoying a magical season in Naples but his World Cup campaign is yet to catch fire. His country needs a monstrous performance from their midfield star on Matchday 3.

CM: Martin Hongla – Hongla’s another who perhaps hasn’t quite lived up to his pre-tournament expectations. Nevertheless, Song should give the talented young midfielder a chance to impress against one of football’s behemoths.

CM: Pierre Kunde – The Olympiacos man will be required to bring some balance this Cameroon midfield.

RW: Bryan Mbeumo – Ivan Toney’s sidekick impressed in the defeat to Switzerland and is one of several dangerous outlets Cameroon possess.

ST: Vincent Aboubakar – The introduction of the brutish veteran forward was the catalyst for Serbia’s demise against the Indomitable Lions. The Mohamed Salah slanderer and his country’s second-all-time leading scorer will surely return to Song’s starting XI for this must-win group game.

LW: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – Julian Nagelsmann’s favourite forward entered the tournament with high expectations and he got on the scoresheet to complete Cameroon’s comeback on Matchday 2.

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