Cameroon and Serbia serve up goals in thrilling World Cup draw
There was drama in the Cameroon camp prior to kick-off as long-standing goalkeeper André Onana was left out of the starting XI.
Serbia started on the front foot and caused problems from the wide areas, with Aleksandar Mitrović heading Nemanja Maksimović’s cross over the bar.
First-half goals have been a rarity in this tournament, although Mitrović was unlucky not to somewhat change that when he curled a lovely shot against the post.
Cameroon’s attempts were rare, with Pierre Kunde’s stinging drive that was palmed away by Vanja Milinković-Savić their only real opportunity.
However, that opening gave the Indomitable Lions hope, and it wasn’t long before they broke the deadlock.
A corner was flicked to the back post by Nicholas Nkoulou, and Jean-Charles Castelletto tapped home for his first international goal and Cameroon’s first in a FWC since 2014. Serbia, though, responded by equalising through centre-half Strahinja Pavlović's powerful header.
The Serbians turned the game on its head in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Sergej Milinković-Savić’s low shot gave the Eagles the lead.
Mitrović finally got his goal at the start of the second half, tapping home from six yards after poor Cameroon defending.
Despite looking all at sea for a considerable period, Rigobert Song’s side pulled a goal back through substitute Vincent Aboubakar, who beat the offside trap and scooped a shot over Milinković-Savić.
Minutes later, the Al-Janoub stadium was stunned as Cameroon equalised when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting tapped home Aboubakar’s square pass.
Both sides had opportunities to clinch the win, but in the end they had to settle for a point and, while neither manager will be particularly pleased with the draw, it did at least end a run of eight straight FWC losses for Cameroon and also kept them in the competition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia)
