SWITZERLAND 1, CAMEROON 0
Switzerland dealt Cameroon a bittersweet 1-0 defeat on Thursday morning at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. A goal in the 48th minute by Swiss forward Breel Embolo, who was born in Cameroon, was all Switzerland needed to clinch the victory and three points to vault to the top of the Group G standings with Brazil. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon did not let the Swiss walk away with a win easily, however, as they held the edge in the end with eight shots and five shots on goal, to just seven shots and three shots on goal for Switzerland. The Swiss did manage tactically to set themselves up for more success in and around the goal, though, tallying 11 corner kicks to just five set pieces for the Cameroonians. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer totaled five saves to save Switzerland from a draw and earn a much-needed three points before their upcoming matchup with global power Brazil on Monday, November 28.

URUGUAY 0, SOUTH KOREA 0 (DRAW)
It was difficult to find any offensive fireworks in Uruguay’s 0-0 draw with Group H foe South Korea on Thursday morning at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The two sides combined for just one total shot on goal, which came via Uruguay, and just seven total corner kicks for the game between both teams as well. South Korea is more likely satisfied with a draw and one point than Uruguay. The Uruguayans must face No. 9-ranked Portugal in their next match, while South Korea has a much friendlier draw against No. 61-ranked Ghana, which is the lowest-ranked nation of all 32 squads in the 2022 World Cup. Uruguay managed two shot attempts to hit the post, which came via young star Federico Valverde and veteran center-back Diego Godin. According to ESPN and FIFA historical data, Thursday’s scoreless draw made history in that it was the first time a World Cup match didn’t record a single shot on target from either side. It could come down to an eventual tiebreaker in total goals scored for these two.
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PORTUGAL 3, GHANA 2
No. 61-ranked Ghana, the lowest-ranked nation of all 32 World Cup teams, gave Portugal all it could handle in the third of four Thursday matches in Qatar, this one at Stadium 974 in Doha. Neither team found the back of the net until the 65th minute when Cristiano Ronaldo scored on a penalty kick to give his team the lead. A flurry of goals followed from both teams, however, as Portugal and Ghana combined to score four goals in 14 minutes between the 73rd and 89-minute markers. Ghana winger André Ayew evened the score at 1-1 in the 73rd minute, but Portugal proceeded to counter with back-to-back scored by João Félix and Rafael Leão in the 78th and 80th minutes, respectively. A late goal in the 89th minute by Osman Bukari gave Ghana hope, but five minutes of stoppage time was not enough to even the score once more. Ghana’s offense produced efficient football on Thursday, drawing even with Portugal in corner kicks (three each) and nearly tying in total shots (nine to 11) and shots on goal (three to five). The Portuguese held a 62% to 38% time of possession edge but didn’t do much attacking throughout the contest until very late. Ronaldo and company will certainly look for a better showing against a motivated Uruguay side when the two teams on Monday, Nov. 28.

BRAZIL 2, SERBIA 0
Brazil broke free with two second-half goals en route to a 2-0 victory over a talented Serbian defensive side on Thursday at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. The Brazilians produced a whopping 22 total shots, including eight shots on goal, compared to just five shots and zero shots on goal by the Serbs. Serbia did manage to earn four set-piece corner kicks and held Brazil to under 60% time of possession, but it did not do enough to find the back of the net and challenge the world’s No. 1-ranked nation. Richarlison’s goal in the 62nd minute broke a scoreless draw, his first of two goals in an 11-minute span in the second half for the talented 25-year-old forward from Tottenham Hotspur. Brazil will look to continue its 2022 World Cup title quest against Switzerland in a battle between the top two teams in Group G on Monday, November 28. Serbia will indeed have a chance to earn three points against No. 43-ranked Cameroon in its next match as well. If the Serbian “Lions of Teranga” manage to beat Cameroon and the Swiss fall to Brazil, the second qualifying spot in Group G will likely come down to Serbia versus Switzerland on the final day of World Cup group play on Friday, Dec. 2
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