CAMEROON – BRAZIL | Friday 8pm
Emulating fellow Frenchman Deschamps, Brazil selector Tite has already indicated that he plans to revolutionise the starting line-up on the final day of the group stage against Cameroon. Seleçao can afford it, having won their first two matches against Serbia and Switzerland, beaten 2-0 and 1-0 respectively, which means qualification for the round of 16 with one round to spare. First place, which is likely to avoid a complicated clash with Ronaldo’s Portugal, is also now secure. The only ones who can catch up with and overtake the cariocas, first with full points, are the Swiss. But Brazil’s defeat against Cameroon and, at the same time, a victory for the Swiss over Serbia with several goals to spare will be needed, as the green selection is well ahead in goal difference.
The absence of Neymar, who – ankle permitting – is expected to return in the first match of the knockout phase, has not been felt so much. Brazil, just like France, can count on a very long squad, full of champions capable of making a difference. Like Casemiro, for example, author of the goal that bent Switzerland. But Tite’s battleship is surprising above all in the non-possession phase: it has not yet conceded a goal and boasts the best defence together with Croatia. With the success against the Swiss, the number of victories in a row has risen to nine. And more generally, Brazil has not lost since July 2021: numbers that make an impression and confirm the strength of the Seleçao.
But while the South Americans only need a point to confirm their position at the top, Cameroon have to get three points to keep their hopes up. The Indomitable Lions are level on one, as is Serbia, who came back from 3-1 down to 3-3 down in Monday’s match, and as well as winning against Brazil – already a difficult task in itself – they need Serbia and Switzerland to share the stakes, or at least for Yakin’s men not to win. At that point, the goal difference could be decisive: Cameroon would be worse off in the event of a tie with Xhaka and his teammates (-1 and 0).
Cameroon-Brazil: the latest line-up news
Aboubakar
Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper owned by Inter Milan, has been sent home after an altercation with coach Song: as in the match against Serbia, it will be Epassy’s turn to defend the Indomitable Lions’ goal. The great novelty in the anti-Brazil line-up is the presence of centre-forward Aboubakar, one of the main architects of the comeback against the Serbians as well as the author of a goal of rare beauty. The experienced Al-Nassr centre forward will complete the trident formed by Choupo-Moting and Toko Ekambi.
In Brazil, as previously mentioned, it will be ‘revolution’. First of all, there is the defection of Alex Sandro: the Juventus player contributes to populating an infirmary that already sees the presence of Neymar and Danilo. As far as turnover is concerned, Antony and Gabriel Jesus will find space in attack, while in midfield Tite gives confidence to Bruno Guimaraes, a player who is doing very well in Newcastle. Alex Telles will take his place on the defensive left flank, while Eder Militao will play on the opposite side.
The prediction
Cameroon have conceded a total of four goals in their matches against Serbia and Switzerland, and are unlikely to keep their goals unbroken against a top-class attack like Brazil. Especially in a match in which Rigobert Song’s men can in no way think of just defending, having victory as their only option. At the same time, we think Brazil runs the risk of relaxing too much. And, with their heads already in the round of 16, they could concede at least one goal. In any case, the gap between the two teams is wide. Tite and his side remain favourites for the three points, which would allow them to secure top spot and remain on full points.
Cameroon-Brazil’s likely line-up
- CAMEROON (4-3-3): Epassy; Fai, Castelletto, Nkoulou, Tolo; Hongla, Zambo Anguissa, Kunde; Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting, Toko Ekambi.
- BRASILE (4-3-3): Alisson; Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Telles; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Paqueta; Antony, Gabriel Jesus, Vinicius Jr.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
