Cameroon 1-0 Brazil: Three Things We Learned

Brazil have progressed to the Round of 16 of the 2022 Qatar World Cup as Group H winners despite a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday evening.

Tite’s side had kicked off their 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win against Serbia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail.

Brazil then edged past Switzerland 1-0 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

With the former world champions having already qualified for the last-16 stage, Brazil head coach Tite decided to make a number of changes to his team.

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro were among the players who were rested.

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, former Barcelona right-back Daniel Alves and Liverpool defensive midfielder Fabinho were among the players who started against Cameroon.

Brazil had some very good players on the pitch, but they still lost their final group game 1-0.

Vincent Aboubakar scored the only goal of the match in the second minute of injury time when he headed home a great cross from the right.

Brazil ended the group stage as Group G winners with six points from two matches, level on points with second-placed Switzerland and ahead only on goal difference.

The South American giants will take on Asian side South Korea in the Round of 16 on Monday and can backed at 6/1 on Betfair to win 3-0.

Here are three thins we learned from Cameroon’s 1-0 win against Brazil:

Brazil need to play better

While it would be harsh to be too critical of Brazil given that they got the job done and dusted early, you have to say that they need to step up their game and do better. Brazil have an array of attacking talent, but without Neymar in the team, they are lacking that spark a bit. Defensively Brazil have been great, but that they have scored just three goals means that not all is good on that front. If Brazil are to win against South Korea and eventually the World Cup, then they simply have to step up their game and play much better, especially in attack.

Gabriel Jesus is not an elite striker

Gabriel Jesus may have been playing well for Arsenal this season, but the former Manchester City player is simply not an elite striker. Jesus did not score for Brazil at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, and he is behind Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison in the pecking order for Brazil. Jesus suffered an injury against Cameroon and will not play in the 2022 Qatar World Cup again, but based on his performance against Cameroon, you have to wonder whether he would have been able to contribute much.

Cameroon can be proud

Cameroon may have failed to get out of the group, but they can be proud of themselves in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, especially how they played and won against Brazil. True, it was Brazil’s second-string team, but it was still a formidable side that had quality players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Ederson and Fabinho.