World Cup favourites reel after Vincent Aboubakar’s win for departing Lions

Brazil suffered a huge upset at the World Cup when Vincent Aboubakar scored a late winner to give Cameroon a famous victory in Lusail – although it was not enough to secure them a place in the last 16.

Tite made nine changes to his starting XI with qualification for the knockout stages assured and a draw against South Korea as group winners looking very likely as South American rivals Uruguay were eliminated shortly before kick-off.

Brazil had the chance to become the only team at this World Cup to have won all three group games and they drew an early warning as Fred narrowly missed heading in a Gabriel Jesus cross.

Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli was also brought into the starting line-up and was a constant threat, heading Fred’s fine ball over goal and forcing Devis Epassy into a good save.

Brazil were far from boastful and settled into a familiar theme of comfort in the first half without threatening the opposition’s goal too much with mountains of clear-cut chances and pressure in their penalty area.

Perhaps it was Cameroon’s complacency in committing cynical fouls, picking up three yellow cards in the first half alone. Martinelli was often targeted by his long runs, cutting in from the left, and one of his dribbles prompted an unconvincing save from Epassy over the bar.

But it was the African side who had the best chance of the first half. Bryan Mbeumo emerged at the far post in added time to head in a low shot that Ederson reacted to fantastically with a one-handed parry.

Their intent continued in the second half when Aboubakar, starting after his heroic substitute performance against Serbia, turned and fired a shot across goal that beat Ederson and the far post.

Tite responded by making a triple substitution in the 55th minute. Once again, Martinelli made his presence felt with a shot well saved by Epassy. Moments later, the Cameroonian goalkeeper was left shaking as he pushed away an attempt from Eder Militao and had to push the ball away as the attackers stood on their toes.

Brazil had moments of individual class to win their first two games of this World Cup in the second half, but no such moment occurred in Lusail.

Bruno Guimaraes fired a close-range shot into Christopher Wooh’s good block as the Newcastle man and Raphinha made impacts from the bench.

But it was Aboubakar who had the last laugh, expertly heading home a perfect cross from Jérôme Ngom Mbekeli from the right to surprise Brazil. One of the players booked earlier, he was soon given his warning for taking his shirt off in celebration.

Martinelli and Guimaraes wasted late chances for Brazil, who nevertheless qualified top of Group G after an embarrassing defeat. Switzerland’s comeback against Serbia allowed Cameroon to return from Qatar with their heads held high.