Cameroon vs Serbia LIVE: World Cup 2022 latest score and updates as Mitrovic adds to Serbia lead

Cameroon face Serbia with both sides looking to bounce back from Qatar World Cup defeats.

The Indomitable Lions face the Eagles after a 1-0 loss to Switzerland, with Cameroon-born Breel Embolo scoring, while Brazil beat Dragan Stojković’s side 2-0 thanks to Richarlison’s double.

A more expansive game could unfold here with Cameroon coach Rigobert Song aware of the need for urgency with Brazil in the final game of the group stage: “The highest level is unforgiving,” he said. “We no longer have any room for error and we’ll be going for broke.”

While this result could determine whether Song remains in charge beyond Qatar, with speculation surrounding his future, but Song maintains he is solely concentrating on the task at hand: “I’m focused on the game. We will have plenty of time to talk about the other things later.”

Follow all the action from the Al Janoub Stadium with our live blog below:

Cameroon vs Serbia latest updates

• Cameroon play Serbia in Group H with both sides looking for their first Qatar World Cup points

• 53’ - GOAL! Mitrovic finishes off stunning team move for third goal (CMR 1-3 SRB)

• ‘45+3 - GOAL! Milinkovic-Savic fires home from outside the box to complete turnaround (CMR 1-2 SRB)

• ‘45+1 - GOAL! Pavlovic heads in equaliser from a free-kick (CMR 1-1 SRB)

• 29’ - GOAL! Castelletto turns in a corner at the back post to put Cameroon ahead (CMR 1-0 SRB)

• 10’ - POST! Mitrovic’s curling effort strikes the woodwork (CMR 0-0 SRB)

• TEAM NEWS: Cameroon start Epassy in goal ahead of Onana after ‘disagreement’ with coach

• TEAM NEWS: Serbia wing-back Kostic is fit to start but his Juventus teammate Vlahovic still only on the bench

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-3 Serbia

11:26 , Luke Baker

60 mins: Cameroon now really giving this a go. Aboubakar bursts forward and jinks inside two Serbia defenders to get into the box but can’t get past the third as Veljkovic desperately go to ground to block the shot.

The ball runs to Mbeumo who stands up a cross to the back post but it doesn’t quite fall for a Cameroon player. Good work from the African side though.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-3 Serbia

11:23 , Luke Baker

57 mins: Good response by Cameroon as Mbeumo whips a free-kick from wide on the right into the perfect area. It’s millimetres too high for Chuopo-Moting and runs harmlessly through. Good delivery though and they’ll need more of that.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-3 Serbia

11:22 , Luke Baker

55 mins: A couple of subs - one for each side. Pavlovic is down injured and Serbia’s opening goalscorer is subbed for Stefan Mitrovic - a defensive change they’ve been forced into.

Aboubakar on for Cameroon as they look for a way back into the match

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-3 Serbia (GOAL! Mitrovic ‘53)

11:17 , Luke Baker

Lovely goal and Serbia double their lead!

It’s so well worked by Serbia’s attacking threats. Cameroon lose the ball on halfway Mitrovic slides in Tadic on the right, he squares it to Kostic, helped on to Milinkovic-Savic who cleverly cuts inside his man and plays the ball across to Mitrovic for the simple finish.

Great vision by Milinkovic-Savic to not just shoot himself. Superb team goal

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-2 Serbia

11:17 , Luke Baker

52 mins: This Serbia side are incredibly disciplined - a tidy outfit. They look the more dangerous early in this second half but Cameroon still have the outlet ball to potentially trouble them.

Mbeumo gives chase down the left channel to one such ball but Tolo just about gets there first with a crunching tackle/clearance into the stands.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-2 Serbia

11:14 , Luke Baker

49 mins: Oooh, nearly for Serbia! Gorgeous reverse pass through from Tadic that Kostic almost gets on the end of but Epassy quick off his line to narrowly beat the Serbian wing-back to the ball. Kostic flagged for being marginally offside anyway as it happens

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-2 Serbia

11:11 , Luke Baker

Kick-off: Back underway for the second half. That was a pretty entertaining first half for a game that, on paper, you might not expect it from. More of the same please!

Battle of the subs

11:10 , Luke Baker

A funny/interesting sidenote - this game has turned into a battle of the subs but not in the sense you might expect.

The entire Cameroon bench ran on to the pitch to celebrate the goal that gave them the lead. Think of scenes you might see after a last-minute winner in a major cup final...

Of course, the Serbia subs responded in kind when the equalised! Madness prevails - love it!

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana dropped from World Cup squad after ‘training ground argument’

11:08 , Luke Baker

And here’s why back-up goalkeeper Davis Epassy is playing today in the first place:

Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana has been dropped from the World Cup squad following a training ground argument with manager Rigobert Song, according to reports.

Onana played in Cameroon’s first match of the tournament, a 1-0 defeat by Switzerland, but was named as “absent” on the official teamsheet for Monday’s crucial meeting with Serbia, with back-up keeper Devis Epassy taking up the gloves.

Spanish outlet Marca claims manager Song took issue with Onana’s high-risk style playing out from the back with his feet, which was the catalyst for a heated argument between the pair.

Cameroon’s Andre Onana dropped from World Cup squad after ‘training argument’

WATCH: Milinkovic-Savic puts Serbia ahead

11:06 , Luke Baker

The turnaround was complete shortly after the equaliser as Milinkovic-Savic took advantage of average defending to fire home Goalkeeper Epassy has to do better here and push this one wide/away but Serbia won’t mind.

WATCH: Pavlovic heads home Serbia equaliser

11:03 , Luke Baker

Here’s Serbia’s equaliser - beauty in the simplicity and it’s a superb header by Pavlovic. Frustrating for Cameroon but things were about to get even more so.

WATCH: Castelletto gives Cameroon the lead

11:00 , Luke Baker

Here’s how Jean-Charles Castelletto gave Cameroon the lead in this game. Look at those celebrations!

HALF-TIME! Cameroon 1-2 Serbia

10:55 , Luke Baker

Phew! What a breathless end to that first half.

Jean-Charles Castelletto’s goal had given Cameroon the lead but two goals in added time from Serbia have turned this match on its head!

Strahinja Pavlovic’s header and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s finish from just outside the box have them 2-1 up.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-2 Serbia - CHANCE!

10:52 , Luke Baker

45+5 mins: That could so easily have been three!

Serbia pour forward once again and Mitrovic hits one but it’s deflected just wide. Cameroon have fallen apart here.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-2 Serbia (GOAL! Milinkovic-Savic ‘45+3)

10:49 , Luke Baker

What a turnaround! Serbia lead before the break.

Cameroon commit too many men forward and are exposed at the back. Some half-clearances don’t get the job done, Milinkovic-Savic picks up the ball just outside the box and strikes low for goal.

It’s a decent hit but Epassy should probably keep it out, the ball bouncing up over his hand and into the net on the right side of the goal, although not right in the corner. Would Andre Onana have saved that one? You have to say, he probably would have...

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-1 Serbia (GOAL! Pavlovic ‘45+1)

10:47 , Luke Baker

And Serbia are level from the free-kick! Too easy really.

A nice ball in by Tadic from the free-kick about 40 yards out and reasonably central. He clips it into the only area he can target, the ball just goes over Chuopo-Moting’s head and Pavlovic gets in front of Zambo Anguissa, rising brilliantly to power a header past Epassy.

Simple stuff but a bullet header.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia

10:46 , Luke Baker

45 mins: Six minutes added on - very apropos for this World Cup. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Serbia here.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia - SAVE!

10:45 , Luke Baker

43 mins: A chance wasted by Cameroon. Their high press pays dividends as Kunde pinches the ball from a dallying Milenkovic, races into the box and fires a shot at goal that is well saved by the foot of Milinkovic-Savic.

The ball rebounds to Kunde but there’s a lack of composure as his shot flies into the stands. He should’ve crossed that second opportunity. First time in a while Cameroon have created something though.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia

10:42 , Luke Baker

41 mins: Serbia have looked like the better side for the last five minutes and are pressing for an equaliser. More good work around the edge of the area leads to nothing though. Kostic’s ball in is then well cleared by Nkoulou.

Can Serbia get back into this before half-time?

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia

10:40 , Luke Baker

38 mins: A bit overplayed by Serbia as it’s decent work down the right by Zivkovic before playing the ball into Tadic in the box, who tries to play one more pass but Cameroon scramble bodies to block.

Kostic then fires over from a good position in the area shortly after but the flag is up for offside anyway.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia

10:37 , Luke Baker

35 mins: Fai back on and immediately back involved. He puts waaaaay too much on a cross from the right. Makes a good show of hobbling away on the ankle just to let everyone know it was his injury to blame for the low quality of cross...

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia

10:36 , Luke Baker

33 mins: Serbia respond to going a goal behind with a couple of balls into the box but they are well dealt with.

At the other end, Mbeumo gets half a yard of space and slips the ball through for an onrushing Fai but S Milinkovic-Savic just about gets there first with the slide to put the ball out for the corner. Fai looks like he’s injured his ankle in the challenge. He’s gingerly jogging at the side of the pitch.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 1-0 Serbia - (GOAL! Castelletto ‘29)

10:29 , Luke Baker

Cameroon break the deadlock!

They win a corner and it’s a great ball in by Kunde, Nkoulou flicks it on and Castelletto is lurking at the back posts to turn the ball home. The celebrations are incredible as all the subs run to mob Castelletto as well as the players on the pitch.

Cameroon lead! That will help their average of 0.8 goals per game at the World Cup!

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:28 , Luke Baker

28 mins: Cameroon centre-back Castelletto goes down during the build-up of a Serbia attack with Mitrovic swinging his arm int he vicinity but nothing doing from the ref. The attack peters out anyway.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:26 , Luke Baker

24 mins: Yellow card for Nkoulou. Half silly, half unlucky. Tadic is going down a blind alley chasing a ball into the channel, Nkoulou is shepherding it out and thrusts his arm into the face of Tadic. A bit needless although Tadic makes a huge deal of it by going down clutching his face, the ref buys it and it’s a booking.

The free-kick from a dangerous position by the right byline is too long and out for a throw.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:24 , Luke Baker

21 mins: That’s nice from Serbia. Ball worked down the right and it’s a low cross into the box from Zivkovic towards Mitrovic but scrambled out for a corner. That’s then well defended by Cameroon.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:22 , Luke Baker

18 mins: And that’s EVEN better from Cameroon. Kunde gets some room on the right and lashes a shot goalwards that Milinkovic-Savic pushes wide of the post. A decent strike.

The corner is only half-cleared by Serbia but Kunde’s strike from the edge of the box is blocked and the ball cleared.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:20 , Luke Baker

17 mins: Better from Cameroon. A great ball into the box by Mbeumo, the perfect area but no-one attacks it and it bounces through for a goal-kick.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia - MISS!

10:19 , Luke Baker

16 mins: What a chance for Mitrovic! You’d expect him to score.

Form an attacking throw-in, Serbia get the ball to the by-line, it looks like it goes out of play before being hooked into the box but no whistle from the ref, Cameroon make a hash of the clearance as one defender clears it into the face of another, it falls to Mitrovic about eight yeards out but he blasts wide! Poor composure.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:17 , Luke Baker

15 mins: Cameroon have calmed things down after that moment when Mitrovic hit the post.

They have a moment of concern when Hongla goes down but he’s up and able to continue. Nkoulou then blasts a shot well over form the edge of the area.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia - POST!

10:12 , Luke Baker

10 mins: So close for Mitrovic! The width of the post away from putting Serbia into the lead.

It’s great work by the Fulham man as he exchanges a one-two on the right side of the area, beautifully cuts back inside the sliding Nkoulou and curls a shot with his weaker left foot beyond Epassy but it strikes the post and bounces clear. Lovely play.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:11 , Luke Baker

9 mins: Serbia’s tactic today is clearly to get balls into the box from wide areas - not a bad one when you have Mitrovic up top, in all fairness.

Zivkovic curls a tasty cross into a good area but it’s well defended by Cameroon. Their centre-backs Nkoulou and Castelletto will have to be on point today

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:07 , Luke Baker

6 mins: Decent move down the left by Cameroon gets the crowd interested and the ball is played to Anguissa on the edge of the box but he hesitates and can’t get a shot away. Serbia immediately counter and stretch their opponents.

Then a first CHANCE for Mitrovic. Good ball whipped in by Maksimovic and the FUlham striker rises high but can’t direct his header on target as it sails harmlessly over. It was probably a little high for him.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:05 , Luke Baker

4 mins: Cameroon having more of the ball in the early stages but it’s mostly in their own half and a sloppy pass by Tolo out of play gives Serbia possession.

They do little with it though and the African side clear their lines. Cagey opening so far.

World Cup 2022: Cameroon 0-0 Serbia

10:03 , Luke Baker

Kick-off: And we’re underway in this crucial match.

Aleksandar Mitrovic goes down heavily early on after being challenged in the air and there’s some concern form Serbia players and fans as he stays down. After some treatment, he’s back up and fine to continue though.

Cameroon vs Serbia anthems

09:57 , Luke Baker

The anthems have been completed and we’re almost ready to go in Qatar. Both these sides desperately need a win here to reignite their qualification hopes after defeats on the opening day.

Anthem-wise, Cameroon’s is a jaunty number and sung with a reasonable amount of gusto by the players, while Serbia’s is slower and more dramatic but the players probably belted it out a bit more enthusiastically.

Andre Onana dropped after disagreement with coach

09:54 , Luke Baker

You may have noticed that normal Cameroon No 1 Andre Onana isn’t in the starting XI today, in fact he isn’t in the matchday squad at all.

We’re hearing that’s because he’s had a falling out with Cameroon coach Rigobert Song. Song has punished his goalkeeper for that disagreement by not even including him on the bench.

Devis Epassy, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Abha, will win just his sixth cap as he dons the goalkeeping gloves, making his first start at a World Cup.

Cameroon looking to avoid unwanted history

09:51 , Luke Baker

The Roger Milla-inspired side that graced Italia ‘90 are the first Cameroon team that many people think of but it has been a struggle for the African nation at the World Cup since. You want stats to demonstrate their woe? Oh, we’ve got stats to demonstrate their woe!

Cameroon have now lost their last eight matches at the World Cup (across the 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2022 tournaments). Defeat here today would see them equal the all-time record for most consecutive World Cup defeats (9) - set by Mexico between 1930 and 1958.

In their World Cup history, the African side are averaging just 0.8 goals per game (18 from 24 games), which is the lowest games per goal ratio of any nation (who have played at least 20 games) in the tournament’s history.

Dusan Tadic racking up the caps

09:46 , Luke Baker

Attacking midfielder Dusan Tadic is set to win his 93rd cap for Serbia today - that’s the third most for the country since they started playing as an independent nation in 2006.

Only Aleksandar Kolarov (94 caps) and Branislav Ivanovic (105) have more than the 34-year-old Ajax playmaker.

Last time out: Richarlison takes flight to give Brazil lift-off at World Cup with win over Serbia

09:36 , Luke Baker

Meanwhile, Serbia battled hard in their World Cup opener against Brazil but a pair of goals from Richarlison, including a scissor-kick that may already have wrapped up goal of the tournament, secured a 2-0 win for the five-time champions.

A show of what’s to come, and also a throwback. Brazil illustrated why they are favourites for this competition with a commanding victory, but inherent to that was how Richarlison offered a first truly magic World Cup moment from the Selecao in perhaps two decades, wrote Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney.

His sensational goal, that was at once deft and fluid but also thunderous and definitive, was the sort of play that created the country’s football fame in the first place; that sparked the imagination… that made you want to watch them.

It was up there with Pele’s dummy, Josimar’s swerve and Ronaldo’s swivel. It was also the crowning moment for both this 2-0 win over Serbia and Richarlison’s fine individual performance, as the Tottenham Hotspur striker scored both goals.

Given the problematic nature of this World Cup, it is worth pointing out that Qatar now has the benefit of forever being associated with a moment that will be replayed for years; that will become part of the World Cup’s lore.

Richarlison takes flight to give Brazil lift-off at World Cup

Last time out: Breel Embolo delivers Switzerland perfect World Cup start to punish wasteful Cameroon

09:25 , Luke Baker

Cameroon started their World Cup campaign with a frustrating 1-0 loss to Switzerland as Breel Embolo got the only goal of the game after Cameroon had wasted a slew of chances in the first half.

The muted goal celebration is not an especially common sight in international football, but with an ever-more globalised world comes an ever-more globalised World Cup, and so too the conflicting emotions of Switzerland’s match winner Breel Embolo, wrote Mark Critchley.

Born in Yaounde before emigrating to France when he was five years old, Embolo did not celebrate the crisp, guided finish that helped overcome Cameroon in this tight Group G opener, instead putting his hands up in apology. A few of his teammates ran to celebrate the assist with Xherdan Shaqiri instead.

They understand, after all. Many of Murat Yakin’s squad are dual nationals, with the Balkan-origin contingent relishing a rematch of their fiery 2018 meeting with Serbia in the final round of group games. That could be crucial to their hopes of reaching the last-16, with Brazil now next up, but to take three points here was a promising start.

Cameroon can take positives, despite this eighth consecutive defeat equalling a World Cup record. Rigobert Song, the former Liverpool and West Ham defender, will note that the Indomitable Lions were the better side while the game was goalless, yet a repeat of 2010 and 2014’s group stage exits now looks more likely than any Italia ‘90-esque heroics.

Breel Embolo hands Switzerland perfect World Cup start to punish wasteful Cameroon

Cameroon vs Serbia odds

09:17 , Luke Baker

What are the bookie saying about this game today? Serbia are heavily favoured to get the better of Cameroon

Odds

Cameroon win: 9/2

Serbia win: 4/5

Draw: 14/5

Cameroon vs Serbia team news

09:07 , Luke Baker

So what are the key takeaways from those starting XIs?

For Serbia, Dusan Vlahovic will be on the bench for the second game in a row. The 22-year-old striker, who was battling a groin problem in the run-up to the tournament, came on in the second half of Serbia’s 2-0 defeat by Brazil.

However, wing-back Filip Kostic has been named in the starting side after missing the opening game with a muscle problem.

Cameroon coach Rigobert Song made two changes to the team who lost 1-0 to Switzerland, replacing keeper Andre Onana with Devis Epassy and midfielder Samuel Oum Gouet with Pierre Kunde.

Cameroon vs Serbia team news

08:59 , Luke Baker

The teams are out ahead of our first game of the day - Cameroon vs Serbia.

Cameroon XI: Epassy; Tolo, Nkoulou, Castelletto, Fai; Kunde, Hongla, Zambo Anguissa; Mbeumo, Choupo-Moting, Toko Ekambi

Serbia XI: V Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Veljkovic; Zivkovic, Lukic, Maksimovic, Kostic; Tadic, S Milinkovic-Savic; Mitrovic

Is Cameroon vs Serbia on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch World Cup fixture online

08:50 , Luke Baker

Cameroon and Serbia go into today’s Group G match knowing that anything less than a victory could send them packing from the World Cup by the time Brazil and Switzerland play later in the day.

Serbia are bottom of the group after losing 2-0 to pre-tournament favourites Brazil while Cameroon’s 1-0 loss to Switzerland means the African side are still seeking their first victory in the World Cup since 2002.

The match arguably gives both Cameroon and Serbia their best chances of opening their account in Qatar.

But a loss for either team - combined with a draw between Brazil and Switzerland - would prematurely bring the curtains down on their campaign, with nothing to play for but pride in their final group game on 2 December.

Here is everything you need to know:

Is Cameroon vs Serbia on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch

World Cup 2022: Cameroon vs Serbia

Sunday 27 November 2022 17:54 , Jack Rathborn

Cameroon vs Serbia is the first World Cup 2022 serving on the Independent today.

It’s an intriguing game with both sides suffering opening round defeats in Qatar.

With the pressure on Cameroon, knowing Brazil are their final group stage opponents, there could be some desperation to get the win.

Serbia have been tipped up as dark horses, but with the likes of Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus pair Filip Kostić and Dusan Vlahovic still short of being at peak condition, they may need to work their way into the tournament.

But with Switzerland already up to three points, victory is pivotal for both sides.

Join us for live build-up, team news and analysis from the World Cup today.