The Indomitable Lions started their World Cup this morning against Switzerland. Dominating in the first period, the men of Rigobert Song were picked cold by the Swiss efficiency (1-0).
Kick-off of the matches of group G of this 2022 World Cup. While waiting for the Brazilian favorites to enter the fray against Serbia (8 p.m.), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s Cameroon faced Xherdan Shaqiri’s Switzerland. Unsurprisingly, the Bayern Munich striker spearheaded the Indomitable Lions alongside Lyonnais Karl Toko Ekambi and Brentford player Bryan Mbeumo. In defense, Rigobert Song’s players relied heavily on Franck Zambo Anguissa, excellent with Napoli, and their goalkeeper André Onana. Opposite, the Helvetians also had reason to hope for a good result with the Monegasque Breel Embolo (7 goals in L1), Shaqiri, Xhaka, Akanji and the executioner of Kylian Mbappé in 2021, Yann Sommer.
Indomitable Lions powerless against Sommer
No time to have the traditional round of observation for these two teams forced to win in this homogeneous pool, before facing Serbia and especially the Brazilian ogre. Switzerland was dominating from the start of the game by monopolizing the ball. André Onana was also quickly the Cameroonian player who touched the most balls, Song’s men having a lot of problems getting the leather out. However, if the Nati had possession, paradoxically it was the Indomitable Lions who provided the most dangerous chances. In the 10th minute, Yann Sommer badly returned an attempt by Bryan Mbeumo on Karl Toko Ekambi who failed to frame his shot, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was alone on the side. Four minutes later, the Bayern Munich striker will also have his chance, but Sommer once again intervened (14th).
Successful, the Swiss goalkeeper did not have time to rest during this first period since after a long shot from Faï (25th), Sommer had to work on a shot from Hongla released in disaster (30th). Effective against, especially with a very valuable Choupo-Moting in its stalls, Cameroon could have obtained a penalty after an uncontrolled tackle from Widmer on Toko Ekambi on a millimeter cross from Faï (35th). For their part, the Swiss had to wait until the 40th minute to finally have a hot action to put in their mouths with a header from Elvedi from a corner. In additional time, Akandji almost surprised everyone on a corner, but his header flirted with Onana’s goal (45th + 1).
Swiss realism
Abused in the first 45 minutes, Switzerland seemed more paralyzed at the idea of losing the game. But that was without counting on clinical effectiveness from the start of the second period. Often sought after by his partners in first, Shaqiri finally had the opportunity to bring danger in front of the opposing goal. And it hit home. On a perfect cross, Breel Embolo had plenty of time to adjust Onana to open the scoring (1-0, 48th). A special goal for the native of Yaoundé who did not celebrate. An achievement that hurt the Lions of Song.
From there, the Helvetii could easily break through the defensive curtain. In the hard, Cameroon avoided the worst thanks to Onana, author of a magnificent parade on a point-blank shot from Vargas (67th). Faced with a much less sharp and physically affected team, Song then tried to inject fresh blood with the entries of Vincent Aboubakar and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou fifteen minutes from time. In vain. Asleep, the Lions never gave the impression of being able to snatch the draw. While waiting for the Brazil-Serbia match (match to follow live on our site), the Nati temporarily took control of Group G.
Source: https://www.footmercato.net/
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