Switzerland edged their way to victory in a lively match against Cameroon thanks to a second-half goal from Breel Embolo, who scored against his country of birth.
However, in the early stages the African side looked most likely to make a breakthrough, Karl Toko Ekambi having an inch-perfect cross taken off his toes by the defender as he raced into the penalty area.
The Swiss too came close, Manuel Akanji heading wide from a corner, but it wasn’t until the second half that a goal threat really emerged. Just minutes after the break, a wonderful team move saw Switzerland pass their way from left to right, shifting through the gears, before Xherdan Shaqiri’s excellent pull-back put it on a plate for Embolo.
Cameroon remained a threat on the counter and via set-pieces – Andre Anguissa met a Bryan Mbeumo free-kick sweetly but the header was straight down Yann Sommer’s throat – but it was Switzerland who appeared most likely to add a second goal to the game.
Andre Onana smartly prevented Ruben Vargas from doubling the scoreline midway through the second half and Haris Seferovic had a late attempt bravely blocked as the scoreline remained 1-0.
It was a moment of deep respect as Embolo, born in Cameroon, gave a muted response to putting Switzerland ahead. Embolo’s hometown is the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde, but a young Breel left for France with his mother when he was just five years old. After relocating to Switzerland in 2014, he has become a mainstay in the Swiss squad.
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