Switzerland vs Cameroon LIVE World Cup 2022: Result, final score and reaction after Breel Embolo goal
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon: Embolo did not celebrate after scoring against the country of his birth, in what proved to be the winner in a lively Group G clash
An apologetic Breel Embolo scored the winner against the country of his birth to hand Switzerland a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in their World Cup Group G clash at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.
Embolo swept home a low Xherdan Shaqiri cross after 48 minutes and then stood still with a rueful frown on his face as his team mates celebrated around him. The 25-year-old was born in Yaounde but raised in Basel.
Cameroon were the better side in the opening half and might have had the lead as Karl Toko Ekambi, Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting and Martin Hongla all missed good chances against a lacklustre Switzerland side that battled to get out of first gear.
But the Swiss were much improved in the second period and took the lead through Embolo’s well-worked goal. Ruben Vargas missed an excellent chance to score a second but was thwarted by goalkeeper Andre Onana as Cameroon ran out of steam.
Follow all the reaction with our live blog below, before attention turns to Uruguay vs South Korea in Group H
HALF TIME: Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
World Cup federations have been told by Fifa that the rainbow flag is to be “welcomed” at stadiums for the next round of games, after a series of incidents that culminated in the team captains of seven Uefa federations not wearing the OneLove armband.
The colours have become one of the tension points of the tournament, as so many players, officials and fans want to make a gesture of solidarity towards the LGBTQ+ community over Qatar’s laws and culture around homosexuality.
Some supporters and media have had items of clothing with rainbow flags confiscated, most notably with security even instructing that bucket hats should be removed. The Independent has been told of cases where Welsh fans were simply wearing the colours of the country – red, yellow, white and green – only to be told to take them off.
A number of federations have raised this with Fifa, given they were told beforehand that it would be an open World Cup, and the global governing body has told federations it has been given assurances by the tournament’s Safety and Security Operations Committee that rainbow items will no longer be confiscated. It has gone so far that missives have been passed to security at stadiums, to prevent what were described as “localised incidents”.
Exclusive by Miguel Delaney
Fifa says rainbow colours allowed at Qatar World Cup despite ‘localised incidents’
Some Wales fans were forced to remove bucket hats displaying the rainbow colours associated with support for the LGBTQ+ community by security staff at a World Cup venue
HALF TIME: Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Danny Murphy, meanwhile, is causing a scene with some out-of-the-box but ultimately incorrect thinking.
“I’ve always found it strange how they don’t count hitting the post or the bar as on target,” he said after Godin’s header.
Wrong.
HALF TIME: Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
We’re goalless - not sure how - but that was an interesting opening half between Uruguay and South Korea. Both teams have had their moments and spells of good play. Godin came closest for Uruguay with a header that struck the post, while Hwang Ui-jo wasted a glorious chance at the other end of the pitch.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
45 mins: We’re into one minute of added time. I’m in shock.
Olivera meanwhile can’t keep a cross in play as another Uruguay attack fizzles out.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
44 mins: OFF THE POST! Almost a towering header from the veteran Diego Godin! From the corner, he rises before crashing a header against the post! It comes back into play but South Korea scramble clear! Closest we’ve come.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
42 mins: After absorbing a South Korea attack, Uruguay spring forward through Pellistri. He looks for Suarez in the middle and almost finds him, but Jung Woo-young cuts it out for a corner.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
39 mins: Luis Suarez has barely had a touch for Uruguay - and South Korea are finding some joy when they get runners around Godin. Despite the energy of Nunez and Valverde, Uruguay are looking quite vulnerable in places.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
37 mins: That sums up Uruguay at the moment. Gimenez rolls the ball straight out of play and Uruguay are losing patience as they try to break South Korea down.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
33 mins: HUGE CHANCE! South Korea should be ahead. It’s a lovely move and they cut Uruguay open - but when the ball was squared to Hwang Ui-jo he can’t keep his shot down! It’s lifted over the bar from in front of the goal and that’s the best chance of the game so far.
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