2022 World Cup: Embolo powers Switzerland past his native Cameroon in Group G opening game

Cameroon born Swiss-International Breel Embolo scored off a Shaqiri cross to power Switzerland past his native country, Cameroon, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Group H opening game.

A drab first half had both sides scrambling for chances, the Cameroonians coming close on two occasions with Ekambi and Choupo Mouting failing to convert begging chances.

Switzerland’s best chance of the first half came off Akanji’s header in the closing stages but that too did not test Onana in goal for the Indomitable Lions.

It finished 0-0 at half-time.

Early in the second half, the breakthrough finally arrived.

Switzerland broke free on the right with Shaqiri who delivered a low cross to unmarked Breel Embolo to fire Switzerland 1-0 up in the 48th minute.

A big moment for the 25-year-old Monaco forward who was born in the Cameroonian capital of Yaoundé to Cameroonian parents, Embolo did not celebrate his goal out of respect for his country of birth.

That goal came off Switzerland’s first shot on goal and helped Switzerland come alive from then to control possession though with no real attacking threats.

The tempo dropped with the substitutions as Switzerland were comfortable passing the ball around to see out time to get their 2022 World Cup campaign off to a winning start.

At the end of the match, Switzerland bagged maximum points with a 1-0 win over the Rigobert Song tutored Cameroon team.

Brazil will face Serbia in the other Group H game by 8pm today.