Switzerland weathered a positive first-half performance from Cameroon to ease to what became a comfortable opening World Cup win, despite the narrow score line in Qatar. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo had lead several dangerous counters against an unusually porous Swiss rear-guard but the African side failed to capitalise on several presentable openings. Karl Toko-Ekambi, blazing over from close range, was guilty of wasting their clearest chance. A much more rigorous Switzerland, however, were able to pick off those sorties after the break after taking the lead via Breel Embolo’s 47th-minute close-range finish. The European side dominated the remainder of the second period from there and might have extended their margin of victory as Cameroon ran out of ideas.
Key Performers:
Bryan Mbeumo, 7 – The Brentford attacker was the game’s key protagonist before half time and his pace and vision caused Switzerland a variety of problems as he linked up neatly with Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in particular. Faded after the half time, however, and was withdrawn early.
Breel Embolo, 7 – Emphatically fired home the opener from close range and, after some improved form in front of goal at club level in Germany and France, the 25-year-old finally looks ready to lead the Swiss line as a consistent goal threat. Both his build-up play alongside Xherdan Shaqiri and his physicality proved more than useful for the Swiss attack.
SWITZERLAND – 1 (Embolo 47)
Yann Sommer, 5
Silvan Widmer, 6
Manuel Akanji, 4
Nico Elvedi, 5
Ricardo Rodriguez, 5
Remo Freuler, 6
Granit Xhaka, 6
Djibril Sow, 4
Ruben Vargas, 4
Xherdan Shaqiri, 6
Breel Embolo, 7
Others: Seferovic 5, Okafor 5, Frei 5, Rieder 5.
CAMEROON – 0
André Onana, 6
Collins Fai, 5
Nicolas Nkoulou, 4
Jean-Charles Castelletto, 5
Nouhou Tolo, 5
Samuel Oum Gouet, 5
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, 5
Martin Hongla, 5
Bryan Mbeumo, 7
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, 6
Karl Toko Ekambi, 4
Others: Ondoua 5, Ngamaleu 4, N’Koudou 4, Aboubakar 4.
World Cup 2022, Group G, 24/11/22
GWFN
