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The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against the Red and Whites of Serbia in their second group game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar on Monday afternoon.
Vincent Aboubakar sparked a stunning second-half comeback as Cameroon avoided what would have been a record-equalling World Cup defeat against Serbia.
The experienced striker came off the bench with the Indomitable Lions trailing 3-1 and staring a ninth successive defeat in the competition, going back to 2002, in the face.
But on 64 minutes, Aboubakar lobbed Serbia keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to make it 3-2 before squaring for Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting to fire home the equalizer two minutes later.
Cameroon, who lost 1-0 against Switzerland in their opener, took the lead in the 29th minute when Jean-Charles Castelletto touched home a flick-on from a corner.
But on 64 minutes, Aboubakar lobbed Serbia keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to make it 3-2 before squaring for Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting to fire home the equalizer two minutes later.
Cameroon, who lost 1-0 against Switzerland in their opener, took the lead in the 29th minute when Jean-Charles Castelletto touched home a flick-on from a corner.
But Serbia, beaten 2-0 by title favourites Brazil in their first match, hit back strongly with two goals in time added on at the end of the first half.
First Strahinja Pavlovic headed home a free-kick before Sergej Milinkovic-Savic drilled a low left-foot shot into the right corner two minutes later.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who had earlier hit the post and wasted two more chances, increased Serbia’s lead with his 51st international goal but the Fulham striker couldn’t salvage victory late on as he curled another effort wide.
It leaves both sides with a struggle to progress from Group G, with Brazil and Switzerland – who meet later today – in pole position to reach the round of 16.
Goals: 29th min – CAM – Jean-Charles Castelletto45th min+1 – SER – Strahinja Pavlovic45th min+3 – SER – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic53rd min – SER – Aleksandar Mitrovic64th min – CAM – Vincent Aboubakar66th min – CAM – Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting
Confirmed lineups:
Cameroon (4-3-3, right to left): 16. Epassy (GK) — 19. Fai, 21. Castelletto, 3. N’Koulou, 25. Tolo — 18. Hongla 15. Kunde, 8. Anguissa — 20. Mbeumo, 12. Ekambi 13. Choupo-Moting
Serbia (3-5-1-1, right to left): 23. V. Milinkovic-Savic (GK) — 5. Veljkovic, 4. Milenkovic, 2. Pavlovic — 14. Zivkovic, 16. Lukic, 6. Maksimovic, 20. S. Milinkovic-Savic, 17. Kostic — 10. Tadic — 9. A. Mitrovic
By: D. N. A. MENSAH, Daily Mail GH /Follow the writer @SkipperWrites on Twitter
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