Brazil face Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup on Friday in their last Group G game. But who joined Liverpool ace Roberto Firmino in the last Selecao XI to beat Les Lions Indomptables?
It has been four years since the two nations last met in a friendly played in Milton Keynes. Richarlison came off Brazil’s bench for Neymar in the early stages and ultimately produced the only goal. The forward, then of Everton, sent his superb header beyond Andre Onana.
Tite had only given Richarlison his Selecao bow in September 2018 following a £35m, up to £50m, move from Watford. But the 25-year-old, who cost Tottenham Hotspur £50m rising up to £60m this August, is unlikely to start when Brazil meet Cameroon in Lusail on Friday.
Tite is set to ring the changes when Brazil meet Cameroon at Qatar 2022
Brazil can clinch the top spot in Group G against Cameroon, who must win to make the last 16. Les Lions Indomptables also need Serbia to draw or beat Switzerland by a lesser margin than their win. Anything but a Switzerland win will see Brazil advance as the group winner.
Richarlison has played an instrumental role in the Selecao’s early efforts at Qatar 2022. He scored both of their goals to beat Serbia 2-0 in an otherwise unconvincing performance by the record five-time champions. Brazil needed an 83rd-minute Casemiro goal to beat Nati.
But Goal reports Tite will ring the changes and rest most of his main players for the Round of 16. The Brazil coach sees no reason in risking one of his key options sustaining an injury against Cameroon. Dani Alves is one option who could come in to start at just 39 years old.
Brazil have won their past two meetings with Cameroon at World Cups
Firmino is not in Qatar to help inspire another Brazil win against Cameroon, who have only beaten the Selecao once before. Tite elected against taking the Liverpool forward to Qatar. But Tite did start the 55-cap forward the last time the Selecao met Les Lions Indomptables.
The 1-0 affair at Stadium MK in November 2018 settled by Richarlison was the sixth game between Brazil and Cameroon. The Selecao have won on five occasions to date since first meeting in June 1994. Their first match and one in June 2014 also occurred at World Cups.
Brazil beat Cameroon 3-0 at USA 1994 in their second Group B tie en route to claiming the top spot. Les Lions Indomptables finished last in the group with one point from nine. They also finished last in Group A in 2014 after facing the host nation, Brazil, last and losing 4-1.
Tite will hope to extend Brazil’s perfect record against Cameroon at World Cups on Friday. So, ahead of the Group G affair at Qatar 2022, HITC Football has taken a look at who joined Liverpool star Firmino in starting the last time that a Brazil XI faced and beat Cameroon…
Ederson (GK): Tite could start the Brazil stopper against Cameroon on Friday
Tite started Ederson the last time Brazil beat Cameroon but the Manchester City stopper is not his No.1. Yet with the Selecao through to the last 16 at Qatar 2022, the 18-cap star can come in for Alisson Becker. Liverpool’s 58-cap ace started against Serbia and Switzerland.
Danilo (RB): An injury has hit the Juventus defender at Qatar 2022
Danilo started Brazil’s opening game at Qatar 2022 against Serbia but had to sit out their win over Switzerland. The 47-cap Juventus defender sustained an ankle injury in the 2-0 win over Orlovi. Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao took his place against Switzerland.
Marquinhos (CB): The PSG captain is finally staring at a World Cup
Marquinhos made his Brazil debut in 2013 but did not make the Selecao’s 2014 World Cup squad. He also only featured once for one minute at Russia 2018 in the last 16. But the 72-cap Paris Saint-Germain captain is finally playing an integral role on the FIFA stage in Qatar.
Pablo Castro (CB): Tite gave the Flamengo man his only two caps in 2018
Tite gave Pablo Castro his Brazil debut at 27 in October 2018 against Saudi Arabia. But the centre-back earned his second, and most recent, cap in the Selecao’s win over Cameroon that November. The 31-year-old now at Flamengo has not made a single Brazil side since.
Alex Sandro (LB): An injury will keep the Brazil star out vs Cameroon
Alex Sandro will not start against Cameroon this Friday as Brazil have ruled the defender out with a hip injury. Tite will hope to have the 39-cap Juventus defender fit for the last 16 after starting their first two games. He has been their first choice in the role since 2018.
Arthur Melo (CDM): A thigh injury ended any hopes he had of going to Qatar
A thigh injury ended any lingering hopes Arthur Melo had of making Brazil’s squad for the 2022 World Cup. The 22-cap midfielder has only played 13 minutes since joining Liverpool on loan from Juventus this September. He has only made two Selecao outings since 2019.
Allan (CM): Al-Wahda FC’s new star anchored Brazil against Cameroon in 2018
Allan anchored the Brazil engine room against Cameroon in November 2018 in their last meeting before Qatar 2022. Since then, the 10-cap 31-year-old left Napoli for Everton for £21m in 2020. He also left Goodison Park for Al-Wahda FC in the UAE in this September.
Paulinho (CM): Cameroon proved to be the midfielder’s final cap for Brazil
Facing Cameroon in November 2018 is likely to be the last of Paulinho’s caps for Brazil. Tite has not named the 34-year-old, now playing for Corinthians, in any of his teams since their friendly in Milton Keynes. Paulinho offered 13 goals and 10 assists over his 56 caps to date.
Willian (RW): Fulham have now signed the man who assisted Richarlison in 2018
Willian delivered the cross from which Richarlison scored the only goal the last time Brazil beat Cameroon in 2018. It was one of 15 goals the winger, now at Fulham, created over his 70 caps so far. The 34-year-old also has nine goals but has not played for Brazil since 2019.
Roberto Firmino (ST): Tite only axed the Liverpool star before the World Cup
Tite only axed Firmino from his Brazil set-up when naming his World Cup squad. The £29m Liverpool forward was still a part of the Selecao side as recently as September. But the 31-year-old did not add to his 55 caps to date, let alone add to his 17 goals and seven assists.
Neymar (LW): An injury took Brazil’s talisman off in 2018 and out in 2022
Neymar tweaked his groin and had to come off after just eight minutes the last time Brazil met Cameroon. The Selecao talisman will also miss this Friday’s World Cup match while he recovers from an ankle injury. He suffered the blow during Brazil’s 2-0 win against Serbia.
The Serbia showdown marked Neymar’s 122nd game for Brazil across all competitions so far. Tite will hope the 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward can add to his tally during Qatar 2022. He will also hope to see Neymar add to his 75 goals and 55 assists registered.
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