Embolo fires Swiss to victory over Cameroon at World Cup
Switzerland's forward #07 Breel Embolo shoots during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match against Cameroon at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha on Thursday. AFP
Breel Embolo fired Switzerland to a 1-0 win over Cameroon in the opening World Cup Group G fixture on Thursday.
Embolo's close-range finish put Switzerland ahead in the 48th minute, with the Cameroon-born Monaco striker opening not to celebrate the goal at the Al Janoub Stadium in Doha.
It was Cameroon's eighth successive defeat at the World Cup, leaving them without a win in the event since 2002.
The Swiss forward from Yaounde struck with a right-foot shot in the 48th minute, standing all alone eight meters (yards) out in the middle of the goalmouth to take Xherdan Shaqiri’s low pass.
Embolo then pursed his lips in a wry smile and held his arms out wide, before raising his hands in a gesture of apology as teammates rushed to him near the penalty spot.
He pointed toward Swiss fans behind the goal where he had scored then to Cameroon fans at the opposite corner of Al Janoub stadium.
The 25-year-old forward left Cameroon with his family when he was five. They spent time in France before settling in Switzerland, the country he is now representing at a second World Cup.
Though an African-born player scored, teams from Africa are now scoreless through the four games they have played at this World Cup. All have played higher-ranked teams, and Morocco and Tunisia earned 0-0 draws, respectively against Croatia and Denmark.
Cameroon’s streak of losses at World Cup finals tournaments extended to eight games dating back to 2002.
Tournament favourites Brazil open their Group G campaign against Serbia later on Thursday.
Switzerland (4-3-3)
Yann Sommer; Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka (capt), Djibril Sow; Xherdan Shaqiri, Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo
Coach: Murat Yakin
Cameroon (4-3-3)
Cameroon supporters cheer prior to the World Cup group G soccer match. AP
Andre Onana; Nicolas Nkoulou, Collins Fai, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nouhou Tolo; Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Samuel Oum Gouet, Martin Hongla; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (capt), Bryan Mbeumo, Karl Toko Ekambi
Coach: Rigobert Song
Referee: Facundo Tell (ARG)
Agencies
