Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tolga Bozoglu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (13640795ep) Vinicius Junior of Brazil celebrates scoring the 1-0 goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group G soccer match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 947 in Doha, Qatar, 28 November 2022. FIFA World Cup 2022 – Group G Brazil vs Switzerland, Doha, Qatar – 28 Nov 2022
World Cup Monday Recap: Brazil and Portugal advance, while 14 total goals mark the highest-scoring day in Qatar
2022 World Cup Groups:
- Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
- Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
- Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
- Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
- Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
- Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
- Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
- Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea
Recapping the Monday action:
SERBIA 3, CAMEROON 3 (DRAW)
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (G): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 @ 4 a.m. CT
- Where: Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Serbia (No. 21) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
Monday’s opening match was jam-packed with offensive fireworks throughout as Cameroon and Serbia played to a 3-3 thrilling draw at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar. The two sides combined for a whopping 28 total shots and 13 shots on goal, in addition to scoring five total goals in the final 46 minutes of action. Cameroon took an early 1-0 lead on a volley from Jean-Charles Castelletto in the 29th minute, and for the rest of the first half, it appeared as if the Cameroonians would enter halftime with a small lead. Serbia, however, rallied for two goals in a three-minute span as Strahinja Pavlovic scored on a header in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, and Sergej Milinkovic made it 2-1 just two minutes later. Serbia took what most thought would be a commanding 3-1 lead in the first 10 minutes of the second half as Aleksandar Mitrovic scored in the 53rd minute, but the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon made a furious rally to tie the score once more. Vincent Aboubakar scored in the 63rd minute for Cameroon just eight minutes after subbing onto the field, and three minutes later, it was Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who evened the score at 3-3 with another goal for Cameroon. The 3-3 draw ended a streak of eight straight World Cup losses for Cameroon, although it will need a miraculous upset of Brazil on Matchday 3 to give it even a chance to make the knockout round stage. Serbia can only advance with a win against Switzerland at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar.
Next – Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
Group G: Switzerland (No. 15) vs. Serbia (No. 21)
When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
GHANA 3, SOUTH KOREA 2
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (H): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 @ 7 a.m. CT
- Where: Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: South Korea (No. 28) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
Ghana outlasted a furious South Korean second-half comeback attempt and prevailed with a thrilling 3-2 win against the Asian Tigers on Monday at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. The Ghanaians erupted for two first-half goals in the 24th and 34th minutes by Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus, respectively, the latter coming on a header attempt. Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, South Korea kept attacking. Cho Gue-Sung scored on back-to-back headers in a four-minute span between the 58th and 61st-minute markers to draw his team even at 2-2, but Kudus countered with a score in the 68th minute to help Ghana earn the winning goal. Monday’s match was just the sixth match to have both teams combine for five or more goals through 28 matches. Ghana not only staved off elimination with the victory, but also moved to a definitive second place in the Group H standings behind only Portugal. South Korea will need a win against Portugal to advance to the knockout round when the two sides face off on Friday, Dec. 2, at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Ghana, on the other hand, will likely advance with even just a draw in its final match against Uruguay. The South Koreans surely will regret Monday’s final outcome, as they dominated time of possession (63% to 37%), tripled Ghana in total shots (22 to seven), and more than doubled their opponents in both shots on goal (seven to three) and corner kick opportunities (13 to five). Ghana is now just one of five nations to have scored at least five goals through the end of Matchday 2 play, joining an exclusive club with the likes of powerhouses in Spain, England, France, and Group A rival Portugal. The lowest-ranked side of the 32 nations in this World Cup has already had a successful campaign whether it advances or not, although a victory or draw against Uruguay would be a historic moment for the Black Stars and the entire continent of Africa in 2022. The Matchday 3 contest between No. 41-ranked Uruguay and No. 61-ranked Ghana will be the biggest FIFA men’s world ranking differential between two nations out of all 16 matches.
Next – Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. South Korea (No. 28)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group H: Uruguay (No. 14) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
BRAZIL 1, SWITZERLAND 0
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (G): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 @ 10 a.m. CT
- Where: Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Switzerland (No. 15)
Brazil became just the second nation to qualify for the Round of 16 with a tightly-contested 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar. The Brazilians scored the winning goal on a Casemiro volley in the 83rd minute, although an earlier would-be go-ahead score was nullified from Vinicius Jr. after a VAR review ruled there had been an offside committed before the try. Brazil was lackluster on offense in its full half of play without Neymar, but the Canarinhos played to form in the second half and dominated time of possession in the final 45 minutes. Switzerland played sound defense throughout the match but was unable to counter when its few possible opportunities arose. The Swiss trailed Brazil in total shots (13 to six) and didn’t register a single shot on goal, compared to five shots on goal for Brazil. Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer now has 10 saves combined through Matchday 2 play, and it will be a battle for Group G qualifying glory when Switzerland faces Serbia on Friday, Dec. 2, for Matchday 3 play at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. A loss to Serbia would eliminate No. 15-ranked Switzerland, though a draw would likely pass them through to the next stage even if Cameroon were to somehow upset Brazil in the other Group G match. Switzerland has just one goal scored in two matches but should have ample breathing room on Matchday 3 against a Serbian side that has allowed five goals in its two games, including three against Cameroon.
Next – Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
Group G: Switzerland (No. 15) vs. Serbia (No. 21)
When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
PORTUGAL 2, URUGUAY 0
- What: World Cup, Group Stage (H): Matchday 2 of 3
- When: Monday, Nov. 28, 2022 @ 1 p.m. CT
- Where: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
- FIFA World Ranking: Portugal (No. 9) vs. Uruguay (No. 14)
Portugal became just the third team of 32 nations to advance to the knockout stage through Matchday 2 with a 2-0 shutout win against No. 14-ranked Uruguay on Monday at Lusail Iconic Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. Bruno Fernandes scored twice in the second half, once in the 54th minute and again in the third minute of stoppage time on a penalty kick, to propel the Portuguese and Cristiano Ronaldo into the Round of 16. Portugal dominated the ball in the first 45 minutes with a 70% time of possession clip, but Uruguay methodically battled back throughout the second half and barely missed on a few close chances to even the score at 1-1 down the stretch. It was a sweet victory of revenge for the Portuguese, which were eliminated in the 2018 World Cup by Uruguay. It was also the third time at a World Cup that Portugal has won consecutive group-stage matches, according to ESPN. The previous two times Portugal accomplished back-to-back wins have resulted in two runs to the World Cup semifinals. To say Uruguay’s 2022 World Cup campaign has been a disappointment would be a massive understatement, although the Uruguayans can still advance with a victory over Ghana and a loss by South Korea against Portugal on Friday, Dec. 2, for Matchday 3 play. Uruguay joins just two other nations (Tunisia and Mexico) not to have scored a goal through Matchday 2 play, and even a change in the lineup with Luis Suárez to the bench and Edison Cavani with the starters was not enough. Uruguay tied Portugal in shots on goal with three and managed 11 total shots for the contest, but a lack of corner kick opportunities (two) to six for Portugal did not afford the Charrúa with enough opportunities to find the back of the net.
Next – Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 (Matchday 3 of 3)
- Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. South Korea (No. 28)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group H: Uruguay (No. 14) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
Tuesday’s Schedule (Nov. 29, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group A: Senegal (No. 18) vs. Ecuador (No. 44)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group A: Netherlands (No. 8) vs. Qatar (No. 50)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
- Group B: England (No. 5) vs. Wales (No. 19)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad al Bin Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group B: USA (No. 16) vs. Iran (No. 20)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
Wednesday’s Schedule (Nov. 30, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group D: France (No. 4) vs. Tunisia (No. 30)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group D: Denmark (No. 10) vs. Australia (No. 38)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group C: Mexico (No. 13) vs. Saudi Arabia (No. 51)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
- Group C: Argentina (No. 3) vs. Poland (No. 26)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974, (Doha, Qatar)
Thursday’s Schedule (Dec. 1, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group F: Morocco (No. 22) vs. Canada (No. 41)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group F: Belgium (No. 2) vs. Croatia (No. 12)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Group E: Germany (No. 11) vs. Costa Rica (No. 31)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
- Group E: Spain (No. 7) vs. Japan (No. 24)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
Friday’s Schedule (Dec. 2, 2022): Matchday 3 of 3
- Group H: Portugal (No. 9) vs. South Korea (No. 28)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Group H: Uruguay (No. 14) vs. Ghana (No. 61)
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Group G: Brazil (No. 1) vs. Cameroon (No. 43)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)
- Group G: Switzerland (No. 15) vs. Serbia (No. 21)
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Saturday, Dec. 3
- Who: 1A vs. 2B
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Khalifa International Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
- Who: 1C vs. 2D
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Al Rayyan, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Sunday, Dec. 4
- Who: 1D vs. 2C
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Who: 1B vs. 2A
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Al Bayt Stadium (Al Khor, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Monday, Dec. 5
- Who: 1E vs. 2F
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Al Janoub Stadium (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
- Who: 1G vs. 2H
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Stadium 974 (Doha, Qatar)
Rd of 16: Tuesday, Dec. 6
- Who: 1F vs. 2E
- When, where: 10 a.m. CT, Education City Stadium (Doha, Qatar)
- Who: 1H vs. 2G
- When, where: 1 p.m. CT, Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail, Qatar)