2022 World Cup Group G final standings: Who is through to the last 16?
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil have topped Group G despite losing to Cameroon on matchday three — and they have been joined in the last 16 by Switzerland.
The Selecao confirmed their place in the latter stages last week and were able to rotate heavily for their final match against Cameroon, with Tite making nine changes to his starting XI. Dani Alves was among those drafted in for a rare start, becoming Brazil’s oldest player at a World Cup in the process.
The heavy tinkering from the Brazil boss was a luxury the nation could afford, but it disrupted their rhythm in the group as they lost 0-1 to Cameroon, with Vincent Aboubakar settling the score. Still, top spot has been confirmed — teeing up a last-16 tie against South Korea — and Tite has maintained squad harmony.
In the adjacent fixture, Serbia and Switzerland played out a much more pulsating affair, one that veered between the mesmeric and, at times, utter carnage. In the end, Switzerland got the job done in an entertaining showdown, winning 3-2 on the night to consolidate second and tee up a contest with Portugal in the knockouts.
After heavy pressure from Serbia in the opening stages, Switzerland broke the deadlock against the run of play through the ever-reliable Xherdan Shaqiri, who joined Cristiano Ronaldo as one of only two players who have netted in each of the last five major tournaments available to European nations: the 2014 World Cup, Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020 and now the 2022 World Cup. It’s a huge feat for the diminutive showman.
Serbia, as expected, battled back defiantly through their goal-hungry forwards. First, Aleksandar Mitrovic restored parity in the 26th minute, before Juventus sharp-shooter Dusan Vlahovic fired his nation in front. It was looking like a tall order for Switzerland to respond — but they certainly did.
On the stroke of half-time, Breel Embolo converted from Silvan Widmer’s pinpoint cross, before Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler restored Switzerland’s one-goal lead just after the restart. It was a well-wrought goal after a tidy flick from Ruben Vargas, and they managed to hold out for a famous triumph from there.
2022 World Cup Group G final results
Thursday, November 24, 2022
- Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
- Brazil 2-0 Serbia, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
Monday, November 28, 2022
- Cameroon 3-3 Serbia, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
- Brazil 1-0 Switzerland, Stadium 974, Doha
Friday, December 2, 2022
- Serbia 2-3 Switzerland, Stadium 974, Doha
- Cameroon 1-0 Brazil, Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail
2022 World Cup standings
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