Uruguay v South Korea LIVE World Cup 2022: Result, final score and reaction as teams play out dreary stalemate
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea: Uruguay hit the woodwork twice through Diego Godin and Federico Valverde but couldn’t find a breakthrough
Uruguay defender Diego Godin and midfielder Federico Valverde both hit the woodwork as the South Americans were held to a 0-0 draw by South Korea in their opening World Cup Group H game.
Wearing a black mask to protect a facial fracture, Son Heung-min started for the South Koreans, yet it was team mate Hwang Ui-jo who came closest to breaking the deadlock, but he scooped his shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
The best chance of a pulsating first half fell to Uruguay captain Godin, whose glancing header from a corner hit the foot of the left-hand post just before the break.
Valverde fired a stinging shot in the final minute of regulation time that hit the top of the post as the two sides battled to a stalemate in front of a crowd of 41,663, with group rivals Portugal set to meet Ghana later in the evening.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Switzerland striker Breel Embolo will start against his native Cameroon today.
Embolo, who was born in Cameroon’s capital Yaounde, lived in France and later relocated to Switzerland, is playing in his second World Cup, having helped the Swiss reach the round of 16 at the 2018 tournament.
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka can swing from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of moments, but on his day he is the driving force of his team’s midfield and has featured in every one of their games at the last two World Cup finals.
Xhaka has great technical ability, but wears his heart on his sleeve, which at times has left his club coaches frustrated by petulant dismissals at key moments and earned him something of an unwanted reputation.
But at national team level, the Arsenal midfielder is more measured and played every minute of Switzerland’s recent Nations League A campaign, taking his tally of international caps to 106 since his debut in 2011.
A focused and engaged Xhaka is vital for Switzerland as he brings balance and stability as a shield for the back four. He is able to drive them forward out of defence and is a scorer of some spectacular goals, though in truth he probably should net more.
He is a straight-talker and there were rumours of a rift with his coach Murat Yakin in June, where the midfielder’s comments about the team’s tactics were perceived to be a criticism of his boss.
Steely midfielder Granit Xhaka adds maturity to drive forward Switzerland hopes
Sometimes seen as a liability at club level, the Arsenal man brings balance and stability to his country
Switzerland vs Cameroon
When Andre Onana plays in goal for Cameroon at the World Cup it will be exactly one year since his return from a drugs ban that he is still struggling to bounce back from.
The 26-year-old spent nine months on the sidelines after banned diuretic furosemide was found in his urine.
He took his wife’s prescription medicine, after looking for an aspirin to quell a headache, and his explanation was accepted on appeal when the ban was cut from a year to nine months.
“A stupid mistake,” he has said, although adding: “There is little humanity in football. We are obviously not allowed to make mistakes and are treated like robots. A hard lesson.”
The incident brought an abrupt halt in January 2021 to a career that was blooming at Ajax, where he was fast establishing himself as one of the best keepers in Europe.
One year on from drugs ban Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana back in the spotlight
The 26-year-old spent nine months on the sidelines after taking his wife’s prescription medicine
Switzerland vs Cameroon: Group G preview
Five-time winners Brazil have not won the World Cup for 20 years - since the generation led by Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho triumphed in Japan & South Korea - and the Selecao were knocked out in the quarter-finals last time out by Belgium in 2018. They are the top seeds in Group G, alongside Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia.
Switzerland and Serbia both finished top of their respective qualifying groups against the odds - beating Italy and Portugal respectively to top spot - while Cameroon beat Algeria in a play-off via a dramatic Karl Toko Ekambi winner in the last minute of extra-time.
At the 2018 World Cup, Switzerland finished second in their group - when they also faced Brazil and Serbia - before losing 1-0 to Sweden in the last-16. Serbia came third in the group after a pivotal 2-1 loss to Switzerland, while Cameroon did not qualify for Russia but were also drawn with Brazil in 2014, where they lost all three matches.
Here is everything you need to know about Group G:
Everything you need to know about World Cup 2022 Group G
Brazil, Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia make up Group G
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin believes his squad is well equipped to make history as they prepare for their opening match of the 2022 World Cup against Cameroon in Group G on Thursday.
The Swiss have not reached the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1954 but, having emerged undefeated through qualifying, Yakin has urged his side to make the most of what he considers an unprecedented opportunity.
“I think we are the best Switzerland national team that has ever existed – we have fantastic players who play abroad and I am convinced we will perform our best World Cup ever,” said Yakin.
“I think we have a great team with a great team spirit that has been built for the last couple of years. Football-wise we have improved a lot, and now we want to write history.”
‘Best Switzerland national team that has ever existed’ ready for World Cup
The Swiss have not reached the quarter-finals since they hosted the tournament in 1954
Switzerland vs Cameroon: Confirmed line-ups
If the sight of Xherdan Shaqiri in a Switzerland shirt doesn’t get you excited for a group stage match, then you’re doing the World Cup wrong.
The ‘powercube’ always seems to deliver for Switzerland on the big stage - he’s scored at the past two World Cups and Euros for Switzerland.
Switzerland vs Cameroon: Confirmed line-ups
Switzerland: Sommer; Widmer, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Sow, Vargas, Shaqiri; Embolo
Cameroon: Onana; Nkoulou, Fai, Castelletto, Tolo; Anguissa, Gouet, Hongla; Toko Ekambi, Choupo-Moting, Mbeumo
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Switzerland are a side which has consistently punched above their weight at major tournaments, having progressed from their group at their last four major tournaments.
While they previously fell at the first hurdle come the knockout-stages, last year’s European Championships were a different story as they stunned world champions France in the last-16, progressing on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in which Granit Xhaka was the star of the show.
Last time out on the world stage, the Swiss progressed to the last-16 but came a cropper to Sweden by a solitary goal. Similarly in 2014, a last-minute Angel Di Maria beauty resulted in a heartbreaking defeat to Argentina in the first knockout round.
There will be a familiar feel in Qatar for the Swiss, with two of their group opponents from 2018 - Brazil and Serbia - matched up with them again, with the addition of Cameroon this time round.
Switzerland World Cup 2022 squad guide, fixtures and ones to watch
Underestimate a Swiss side led by in-form captain Granit Xhaka at your peril – just ask France
Switzerland vs Cameroon
Cameroon were minutes away from their World Cup dreams evaporating as they contested their play-off with Algeria earlier this year. But with Karl Toko Ekambi’s dramatic last-minute winner, the Indomitable Lions nicked a place in Qatar courtesy of away goals.
Captained by ex-Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar, Cameroon finished third in their home Africa Cup of Nations at the start of 2022, missing out on a place in the final on penalties to Egypt - another African team not present in Qatar.
While they did not qualify for Russia four years ago, they were grouped with Brazil back in 2014, losing 4-1 in their final game having lost all three encounters - the other two to Mexico and Croatia.
They also disappointed in South Africa in 2010 but armed this year with some powerful forwards and one of the world’s most promising young goalkeepers in ex-Ajax player and current Inter Milan shotstopper Andre Onana, Cameroon could surprise many in the winter World Cup.
Cameroon World Cup squad guide, fixtures and more for 2022 tournament
Can Cameroon progress from the group-stage for the first time since their famous 1990 team?
Switzerland vs Cameroon: Odds and prediction
Switzerland 3/4
Draw 12/5
Cameroon 21/5
Prediction
Switzerland have the edge on paper but Cameroon are a useful outfit who can put up a competitive fight in Group G, especially given their pedigree in attack and their outstanding goalkeeper. Switzerland 1-1 Cameroon.
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