The 2022 FIFA World Cup's early kick-offs have been hit or miss, with several of the tournament's disappointing games taking place in that time slot. However, Cameroon vs. Serbia bucked that trend as these two nations played out a thrilling Group G encounter.
The African and European teams faced off in the second round of group-stage fixtures, with both sides aiming to bounce back from their opening-day defeats, losing to Switzerland and Brazil respectively.
The Indomitable Lions scored first, with Jean-Charles Castelletto netting just before the half-an-hour mark. However, Serbia not only equalized but also took the lead in added time of the first half, netting twice in the span of two minutes to pull off a turnaround.
Come the 53rd minute, Aleksandar Mitrovic got on the scoresheet, finishing off a brilliant passage of play to give the Eagles a 3-1 lead. At this point, the game appeared done and dusted, with the commentators speculating whether Cameroon would get thrashed or not. Then Vincent Aboubakar came on and completely changed the match for the African giants.
Within eight minutes, the 30-year-old substitute got on the scoresheet, nonchalantly lobbing the goalkeeper to pull his nation back into the game. Three minutes later, the veteran attacker helped his country draw level, teeing up Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for an easy finish to equalize.
SCOOP!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 28, 2022
After a quick VAR check, Vincent Aboubakar's superb lob stands #ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/jFgOYUXzjN
WHAT A CHIP
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 28, 2022
After a VAR check, the goal stands and Cameroon takes one back! pic.twitter.com/2zwCtckDjW
The final 30 minutes of this brilliant showdown were end to end, with both sides going all out for the win. However, the scoreline remained this way and both teams came away with a single point. Despite missing out on the three points, Aboubakar and Cameroon made history in this fixture.
The Al Nassr striker wrote his name in the records book by becoming the first African player to come on as a sub and both score and assist in a FIFA World Cup match. As for the national team, this was the first time they had ever scored three goals in a single fixture in this prestigious tournament.
1 - Vincent Aboubakar has become the first substitute to both score and assist in a single World Cup game for an African nation. Emphatic. pic.twitter.com/3Xq7TrCGz9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 28, 2022
This is the first time ever Cameroon have scored three goals in a World Cup game. pic.twitter.com/RVhhSbKlBR
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) November 28, 2022
LLLLLLLLD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 28, 2022
Cameroon come back from two goals down to break their 8-game losing streak at the World Cup pic.twitter.com/lbTMw9sBdz
Nonetheless, both nations find themselves in trouble. Rigobert Song's side head into their final fixture, an extremely difficult showdown with Brazil, needing a win in order to avoid elimination. Serbia's fate, on the other hand, rests heavily on the outcome of the Selecao's clash with Switzerland later today. Should the South American powerhouse win this fixture, then Mitrovic and Co. will need to beat Nati on the final day if they wish to make the last 16.