Switzerland have become the final team to qualify from the World Cup group stage, joining Brazil in the round of 16.
On a thrilling final day of group games, Switzerland came from behind to beat Serbia 3-2 in Qatar, while Brazil secured their place at the top of Group G despite a late loss to Cameroon.
Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri put the Swiss ahead at the Stadium 974, before Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic fired Serbia into position.
Switzerland, needing only a draw to qualify, levelled things up just before half-time through Breel Embolo, with Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler completing the turnaround just minutes after the interval after a lovely team move.
Both sides pushed for another goal with tempers boiling over more than once with Swiss captain and Arsenal star Xhaka getting involved in several heated confrontations with opposition players, notably Mitrovic.
The other game was a largely dull affair, with Brazil making nine changes having already sealed their place in the round of 16 after winning their first two games.
Even though it was a second-string side, the World Cup favourites still boasted the likes of Manchester City’s Ederson, Liverpool’s Fabinho, Manchester United duo Fred and Antony and Arsenal forward’s Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in their starting XI.
But even with all this talent they were unable to overcome a stubborn Cameroon with the game destined to end goalless, but the African side, who needed a win to stand any chance, had other ideas.
Vincent Aboubakar powered in a fantastic header in injury time, but his personal joy was short-lived as he took his shirt off while celebrating, earning him a second yellow and subsequently the red card.
It means that for the first time since 1994, no nation completed the group stage with a 100% record, leaving the tournament even more widely open than before.
Thus concludes what was a thrilling and surprising group stage, with the knockout games kicking-off on Saturday.
Brazil will now take on South Korea on Monday night, while Switzerland face Portugal 24 hours later.
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