Switzerland continues to tap into their tournament know-how as Murat Yakin’s Nati secured a 1-0 win over Cameroon to open their winter campaign at Al Janoub Stadium to set the stage in a very difficult Group G.
Maximum points were needed on the day for both sides with Brazil and Serbia – set to clash later today – still on the docket as the fixture list does not get any easier, but Switzerland proved once again that they cannot be discounted on the international stage after securing passage to the knockout stage in their last four combined tournaments at the World Cup and European Championship coming into the 2022 World Cup.
FT: Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon#SUI begin their #FIFAWorldCup campaign with victory over #CMR.
Breel Embolo’s goal was the difference between the two nations, who chose not to celebrate against the country of his birth.#SUICMR | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Uhs6xXzPah
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 24, 2022
The lone goal of the day fell to Cameroonian-born AS Monaco striker Breel Embolo secured all the points for the European dark horse on a day where he put a dagger in the heart of the nation of his birth to put Switzerland in good standing. But Cameroon can hold their heads high in what was a strong performance from Rigobert Song’s Indomitable Lions who were on the front foot for the vast majority of the first half, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo particularly impressive.
The African side could not turn the balance of play to their advantage though and lacked the final ball to capitalize on their chances before Embolo put the Swiss 1-0 up just after the half-time interval.
Despite the striker’s well-taken effort, the match remained on an even keel as both sides would take 50% of the ball away come full time and despite creating more overall chances, it was Switzerland that could boast the balance of key chances created, with André Onana producing a smart save in the second half to keep his country within a single goal. But as the old cliche goes, better sides will always take their best chances and in the end, it was that one key difference that separated two even sides on the day.
📰 Table Of Contents
Switzerland Player Ratings
- Yann Sommer (GK): 7.5
- Silvan Widmer (RB):
- Manuel Akanji (CB): 6.5
- Nico Elvedi (CB): 7.5
- Ricardo Rodríguez (LB): 7
- Remo Freuler (CM): 6.5
- Granit Xhaka (CM): 7
- Djibril Sow (CAM): 6
- Xherdan Shaqiri (RW): 7
- Rúben Vargas (LW): 6.5
- Breel Embolo (CF): 7
- Noah Okafor (Sub): 6
- Fabian Frei (Sub): 6
- Haris Seferovic (Sub): 6
- Fabian Rieder (Sub): 6
- Eray Cömert (Sub): 6
Cameroon Player Ratings
- André Onana (GK): 7
- Collins Faï (RB): 6
- Jean-Charles Castelletto (CB): 7
- Nicolas Nkoulou (CB): 67
- Nouhou Tolo (LB): 6.5
- Samuel Oum Gouet (DM): 6
- Martin Hongla (CM): 7
- Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (CM): 7
- RW: Bryan Mbeumo (RW): 7
- Karl Toko Ekambi (LW): 6
- Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (CF): 6.5
- Gaël Ondoua (Sub): 6
- Vincent Aboubakar (Sub): 6
- Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Sub): 6
- Moumi Ngamaleu (Sub): 6
Social Media
🇨🇲 Cameroon have failed to win their last four games, with their last win in June 2022.
Can they break their streak against Switzerland today?
📸 @Flashscorecom pic.twitter.com/8DmoEVP2Bw
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) November 24, 2022
“Rankings go out the window when you are on a football pitch.”
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song says rankings don’t count as there have been surprises already at the ongoing #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 https://t.co/1yVbFZINnh— GOAL Africa (@GOALAfrica) November 24, 2022
Interesting team news from Cameroon ahead of their #WorldCup opener against Switzerland.
Captain Vincent Aboubakar starts on the bench… @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/6VbWHcQjQe
— Michael Bailey (@michaeljbailey) November 24, 2022
28y 238d – Aged 28 years and 238 days on average, Switzerland are fielding their second-oldest ever starting XI at the #FIFAWorldCup, having fielded an older starting XI only in 1950 for their 2-2 draw against Brazil (28y 314d). Experience. #SUICMR pic.twitter.com/EOt8dmGF12
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) November 24, 2022
Eric Maxim-Choupo Moting handed the captains arm band for Cameroon 🇨🇲 game v Switzerland 🇨🇭
33 year old Moting comes into today’s match with 10 goals ⚽️ in his last 9 games for club Bayern Munich🔥 #WorldcupQatar2022 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Moe7ygR7SW
— Mimi Fawaz (@MimosaFawaz) November 24, 2022
Breel Embolo will forever be a promising young forward, despite having apparently played for Switzerland since 2008.
— Jay Harler (@JayJamesHarler) November 24, 2022
Still 0-0 as we half the half-hour mark and it’s Cameroon with the better chances, though no breakthrough yet.
Switzerland pressing well high up the pitch, but quality lacking when it matters.
LIVE: https://t.co/crw1mieQBH#FIFAWorldCup | #Qatar2022 | #SUICMR pic.twitter.com/CBwnNkIjd3
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 24, 2022
Bryan Mbeumo, so far, so good. A good late addition to the Indomitable Lions.
A very lively performance.
— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) November 24, 2022
Congratulations to Remo on earning his 50th cap for @nati_sfv_asf! 🇨🇭 pic.twitter.com/jOfM1zRaNB
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 24, 2022
0 – Cameroon didn’t face a single shot on target in the first half of a World Cup game for only the second time in their history after 2002 v Germany, when they eventually lost 2-0. Safe. #SWICMR pic.twitter.com/ArsxReh4Vc
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) November 24, 2022
Fans of the Indomitable Lions 🇨🇲 brought the colour to the Al Janoub Stadium.
Via @ActuFoot_ #MGLQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/2lxQy3Q6Bh
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) November 24, 2022
That’s an excellent move from #SUI. Finished by Embolo, who does not celebrate against his birth country! #FIFAWorldCup
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) November 24, 2022
Switzerland going to realise how much space Xhaka is finding in the Final Third and then it’s going to get spicy.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) November 24, 2022
Great entertainment and tough on Cameroon, who come out the wrong side of a close one. Both sides traded spells of dominance, and in the end it’s a moment of quality that seals it. Had to be #CMR-born Embolo, didn’t it? #FIFAWorldCup
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) November 24, 2022
