Why will Brazil qualify for the World Cup round of 16 even if they lose the last game?
Two games down, and Tite’s team of Neymar, Vinicius, Casemiro et al, now know what’s required from their final match.
You can follow the live action of the last game of the group G between Cameroon and Brazil on As.com.
The samba boys came through their opening game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the desired three points, overcoming Serbia with a brace from Richarlison, including a contender for goal of the tournament. Just like against their first opponents, a second European team, that of Switzerland, put up a defiant performance against many people’s favourites to lift this trophy on 18 December.
Brazil qualify for the knock-out stage of the World Cup at the first time of asking. ✅
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 28, 2022
How the rest of 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐆 stacks up going into the final round of fixtures.👇 pic.twitter.com/qdLJP26FTM
Group G: how it stands
Brazil came into their Swiss test having beaten the Serbs 2-0, while their opponents had picked up a single goal victory over Cameroon. The two losing sides met earlier on Monday needing some points but cancelled each other out in an incredible 3-3 draw.
Up stepped the other two sides knowing victory would guarantee progression to the round of 16, but after a second half Vinicius Jr goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up, and nothing else seemed to be paying off for either side, it appeared that a share of the spoils, and more uncertainty, was ahead of us. Then arrived Casemiro.
Brazil have won their opening two games of a World Cup campaign for the first time since 2010.
— Squawka (@Squawka) November 28, 2022
Not 2002. 😉#FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/6mXjcxZ24D
What Brazil need to do in Game 3 against Cameroon
With less that 10 minutes remaining in the match, the Manchester United midfielder, formally of the multi-Champions-League-winning Real Madrid parish, smashed home a bouncing ball with the sweetest of strikes. That was enough to secure another three points and that valuable place in the knockout phase, with a game to spare.
Cameroon lie ahead on Friday, but Tite can ring the changes, resting who he wants to. That said, he’ll have one eye on the goal difference between his side and the Swiss, on the off chance that they both end on six points.
Here are the rest of the permutations to decide the group G positions.