Cameroon fought again from two objectives right down to drive an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Group G rivals Serbia on the Al Janoub Stadium.
Serbia struck twice in added time earlier than the interval via Strahinja Pavlovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to show the sport on its head after Jean-Charles Castelletto had given Cameroon the lead .
Serbia went 3-1 up when Aleksandar Mitrovic scored his first objective of the match early within the second interval.
However the Africans responded in spectacular trend as substitute Vincent Aboubakar and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting each scored within the house of three minutes to haul their facet stage.
Cameroon prevented a record-equalling ninth successive World Cup finals defeat, however whereas each nations retained hopes of reaching the final 16, Brazil and Switzerland stay favourites to progress from the group.
Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana was controversially disregarded of the squad amid pre-match experiences of a coaching floor bust-up with head coach Rigobert Track.
Inter Milan keeper Onana, first selection since 2019, was changed by debutant Devis Epassy and the latter was grateful Mitrovic’s early header looped over the crossbar.
Mitrovic then curled a shot in opposition to a publish after combining with Dusan Tadic as Serbia, bidding to bounce again from their 2-0 defeat to Brazil, took management.
Cameroon, overwhelmed 1-0 by Switzerland of their opening match, served warning on the break within the twentieth minute when Pierre Kunde’s shot pressured Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic right into a low save.
The Africans then took the lead in opposition to the run of play when the unmarked Castelletto turned the ball dwelling on the far publish following a nook.
That sparked joyous scenes on the Cameroon bench as their replacements ran onto the pitch to have fun, which resulted in a reserving for substitute Christian Bassogog.
However with the clock ticking down in first-half added time, that pleasure turned to despair.
Pavlovic equalised with a towering header from Tadic’s free-kick and two minutes later Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fired low into the underside nook to place Serbia forward.
It obtained worse for Cameroon early within the second interval once they have been carved open by a sweeping Serbia counter-attack, with Mitrovic side-footing dwelling.
However the recreation took one other large swing because of Aboubakar. His good scooped end stood after a VAR verify and he then picked out the charging Choupo-Moting for a superb equaliser.
Mitrovic’s low shot was saved by Epassy and Aboubakar was denied by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic as either side needed to accept a share of the factors.
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