The fifth day of the World Cup once again saw four games played across the day in Qatar.
Day five of the World Cup certainly delivered as two of the heavyweights in the competition kicked off their campaigns with Portugal and Brazil picking up wins.
However, it was a slow start to the day with the first two games accounting for just one goal, Breel Embolo’s effort against Cameroon securing the win for Switzerland. Uruguay and South Korea made history afterwards with no shots on target.
Switzerland 1-0 Cameroon
A lively but forgettable encounter saw the European side get off the mark thanks to a second half Breel Embolo effort.
The first half was tentative fare with neither sidereally grabbing the upper hand, althouugh Switzerland’s Yann Sommer had to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting from close range.
The Swiss had the breakthrough in the 48th minute, Embolo finding himself free in the box and curling home from a Xherdan Shaqiri cross.
They could have doubled their lead only for the exploits of Andre Onana in preventing Ruben Vargas who was again set up by Shaqiri.
But it was enough for Switzerland as Cameroon now face an uphill task to qualify.
Uruguay 0-0 South Korea
Arguably the worst game of the tournament so far (and of all time). No shots on goal tells its own story for a game that saw Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez and Heung Min Son.
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
Portugal survived a late scare to send out their credentials against a determined Ghana side.
In a drab first half, free agent Ronaldo saw his effort harshly ruled out as he was adjudged to have fouled Alexander Djiku in the build up. That was the highlight of the first half before the game kicked into gear after the restart.
He did become the first man to score at five different World Cups on 65 minutes, converting from the spot after he was fouled by Mohammed Salisu. Ghana drew level eight minutes later, Mohammed Kudus crossing for captain Andrew Ayew to head past Diego Costa.
Joao Felix then put Portugal back into the lead with a brilliant finish before substitute Rafael Leao doubled their lead. Ghana hit back through Osman Bukari as he headed home heading into injury time.
And it could have been so much worse as Inaki Wiliams outfoxed Costa in the Portugal net but slipping just before striking on goal as Portugal survived.
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
A game of two halves as favourites Brazil flourished in the second period with a dominant performance and a pair of goals from Richarlison.
Pre tournament favourites Brazil seemed weighed down by the tag as they failed to fire in the first half. Meanwhile, Serbia looked dangerous in parts but never threathened Alisson in the Brazil net.
However, the South American’s were a different side in the second period as they broke the duck through the spurs striker as he pounced after Vinicius Jr’s shot was saved.
The dup then combined for one of the competition’s great goals, Richarlison controlling with his left before bicycling past the impressive Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
It could have been so much more with chances galore as they emptied the bench. But, it didn’t matter as they sent out their own warning to the rest of the tournament.
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