Cameroon and Serbia produced the most memorable game of the World Cup in Qatar so far, sharing six goals in Doha in Group G. Despite going behind against the run of play to Jean-Charles Castelletto’s back post tap-in, Serbia dominated the first hour and should have been more than 3-1 up after goals from Sergej Milinković-Savić and Strahinja Pavlović in first half injury time and another from Aleksandar Mitrović after the break. However, the introduction of striker Vincent Aboubakar changed the game for Cameroon as the 30-year-old scooped a brilliant second before assisting Choupo-Moting’s equaliser. That lead to a frantic final half an hour in which both teams threatened but failed to score a decisive fourth.
Key Performers:
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, 3 – At fault for both first-half goals. Firstly he was outmuscled and outjumped by Strahinja Pavlović who looped in a headed equaliser before the Napoli man lazily gave the ball away on the edge of his own box, which eventually allowed Sergej Milinković-Savić to sweep home for 2-1. However, like the rest of his team, he improved (a little) after Aboubakar’s introduction.
Aleksandar Mitrović, 4 – Should have had the game won by halftime, squandering two significant chances before Cameroon took a surprise lead. A sharp change of direction created space for a powerful shot that hit the post from a tight angle before a series of deflections presented him with a volley six yards out which he pulled wide. He did finally tap home his goal after the break for 3-1, however.
Vincent Aboubakar, 9 – Arriving on the hour mark with his side 3-1 down, Aboubakar completely changed the game. The Al Nassr forward was surprisingly dropped for the tournament by new coach Rigobert Song and the 30-year-old was desperate to prove a point here, dinking a brilliant finish for 3-2 seconds after coming on before racing away to square for Choupo-Moting to make it 3-3.
CAMEROON – 3 (Castelletto 29, Aboubakar 64, Choupo-Moting 66)
Devis Epassy, 4
Collins Fai, 4
Jean-Charles Castelletto, 5
Nicolas Nkoulou, 3
Nouhou Tolo, 4
Martin Hongla, 3
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, 3
Pierre Kunde, 5
Bryan Mbeumo, 6
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 7
Karl Toko Ekambi, 3
Others: Aboubakar 9, Bassogog 5, Ondoua 5, Oum Gouet 5.
SERBIA – 3 (Pavlović 45, Sergej Milinković-Savić 45+3, Mitrović 53)
Vanja Milinković-Savić, 5
Nikola Milenković, 4
Strahinja Pavlović, 7
Miloš Veljković, 4
Andrija Živković, 6
Filip Kostić, 6
Nemanja Maksimović, 6
Saša Lukić, 6
Sergej Milinković-Savić, 7
Dušan Tadić, 7
Aleksandar Mitrović, 4
Others: Stefan Mitrović 4, Grujić 5, Radonjić 5, Babić 5.
GWFN
