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Neymar Jr. (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) in action.
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Matchday 5 Live Blog: Brazil secure first win, Portugal survive Ghana thriller
Join us for Matchday 5 as we bring you the key moments and highlights from today's FIFA World Cup fixtures.
Neymar Jr. (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (R) in action.
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Updated
By SBS Sport
Source: SBS
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First half under way
1' - Kick-off
We are underway with the start of the first half at Stadium 974.
We are underway with the start of the first half at Stadium 974.
Watch Portugal v Ghana live on SBS or watch the live stream via SBS On Demand!
WATCH via SBS On Demand
Portugal v Ghana (Group H) - Live Stream - FIFA World Cup 2022
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FT - It ends all square
Uruguay and Korea Republic have played out a 0-0 draw in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-uruguay-v-korea-republic-group-h
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for Portugal v Ghana shortly!
Uruguay and Korea Republic have played out a 0-0 draw in their opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-uruguay-v-korea-republic-group-h
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for Portugal v Ghana shortly!
Second half starts
46' - Uruguay begin second half
La Celeste restart proceedings looking to take the upper hand in what's been an even contest thus far.
La Celeste restart proceedings looking to take the upper hand in what's been an even contest thus far.
Half-time whistle blows
HT - The referee calls an end to the first half
The players head for the tunnel after an entertaining half of football in Al-Rayyan.
The players head for the tunnel after an entertaining half of football in Al-Rayyan.
First half under way
1' - Kick-off
We are underway with the start of the first half at Education City Stadium.
We are underway with the start of the first half at Education City Stadium.
Korea Republic Stats
· This is Korea Republic's 11th appearance at the World Cup, a record for an AFC team. Japan follow on seven (including 2022).
· Korea Republic are one of only five teams to have competed at every World Cup since 1986, alongside Argentina, Brazil, (West) Germany and Spain.
· Korea Republic were eliminated in the group stage in eight of their 10 World Cup appearances. The two exceptions were 2002 (finished fourth as co-hosts) and 2010 (eliminated in the round of last 16 by Uruguay).
· Korea Republic won three of their seven World Cup games on home soil as co-hosts in 2002 (W3-D2-L2, games decided by a penalty shootout classed as a draw). They have won three of their other 27 World Cup matches (W3-D7-L17).
· Korea Republic won their opening fixture in three of their 10 World Cup appearances (W3-D2-L5): 2-0 versus Poland in 2002, 2-1 versus Togo in 2006 and 2-0 versus Greece in 2010.
· Korea Republic reached the 2022 World Cup after finishing runners-up to IR Iran in Group A in the third round of AFC qualifying. In all rounds of qualifying, Son Heung-min (7) was their leading goalscorer and Kim Min-jae (16) was their leading appearance maker.
· Korea Republic lost one of their last nine matches (W6-D2-L1), 3-0 against Japan in Toyota in the East Asian championships on 27 July.
· Paulo Bento is the third foreign manager to take charge of Korea Republic at the World Cup, after Dutchmen Guus Hiddink (2002) and Dick Advocaat (2006).
· Bento was manager of Portugal at the 2014 World Cup. They were eliminated in the group stage, finishing third in their group behind Germany and USA.
· Bento played all three games for Portugal when they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup. Their elimination was confirmed in a 1-0 defeat versus Korea Republic in the final group game.
· Son Heung-min is Korea Republic's joint-leading World Cup goalscorer, alongside Park Ji-Sung and Ahn Jung-Hwan (all 3). Only Park (2002, 2006, 2010) has netted at more World Cups for the Koreans than Son (2014, 2018).
· Son is joint-fourth alongside Kim Jae-Han (both 35) in Korea Republic's all-time leading goalscorers. The top three are Cha Bum-Keun (58), Hwang Sun-Hong (50) and Park Lee-Chun (40).
· Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang Ui-jo are both one short of 50 appearances for Korea Republic.
· Korea Republic have 14 domestic-based players in their 2022 World Cup squad (including six from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC), their highest total at the tournament since 2006 (16).
· Jung Woo-young plays his club football in Qatar for Al Sadd.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Korea Republic are one of only five teams to have competed at every World Cup since 1986, alongside Argentina, Brazil, (West) Germany and Spain.
· Korea Republic were eliminated in the group stage in eight of their 10 World Cup appearances. The two exceptions were 2002 (finished fourth as co-hosts) and 2010 (eliminated in the round of last 16 by Uruguay).
· Korea Republic won three of their seven World Cup games on home soil as co-hosts in 2002 (W3-D2-L2, games decided by a penalty shootout classed as a draw). They have won three of their other 27 World Cup matches (W3-D7-L17).
· Korea Republic won their opening fixture in three of their 10 World Cup appearances (W3-D2-L5): 2-0 versus Poland in 2002, 2-1 versus Togo in 2006 and 2-0 versus Greece in 2010.
· Korea Republic reached the 2022 World Cup after finishing runners-up to IR Iran in Group A in the third round of AFC qualifying. In all rounds of qualifying, Son Heung-min (7) was their leading goalscorer and Kim Min-jae (16) was their leading appearance maker.
· Korea Republic lost one of their last nine matches (W6-D2-L1), 3-0 against Japan in Toyota in the East Asian championships on 27 July.
· Paulo Bento is the third foreign manager to take charge of Korea Republic at the World Cup, after Dutchmen Guus Hiddink (2002) and Dick Advocaat (2006).
· Bento was manager of Portugal at the 2014 World Cup. They were eliminated in the group stage, finishing third in their group behind Germany and USA.
· Bento played all three games for Portugal when they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup. Their elimination was confirmed in a 1-0 defeat versus Korea Republic in the final group game.
· Son Heung-min is Korea Republic's joint-leading World Cup goalscorer, alongside Park Ji-Sung and Ahn Jung-Hwan (all 3). Only Park (2002, 2006, 2010) has netted at more World Cups for the Koreans than Son (2014, 2018).
· Son is joint-fourth alongside Kim Jae-Han (both 35) in Korea Republic's all-time leading goalscorers. The top three are Cha Bum-Keun (58), Hwang Sun-Hong (50) and Park Lee-Chun (40).
· Hwang Hee-chan and Hwang Ui-jo are both one short of 50 appearances for Korea Republic.
· Korea Republic have 14 domestic-based players in their 2022 World Cup squad (including six from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC), their highest total at the tournament since 2006 (16).
· Jung Woo-young plays his club football in Qatar for Al Sadd.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Uruguay Stats
· Uruguay are one of the eight teams to have won the World Cup. They lifted the trophy in 1930 on home soil (the inaugural edition) and 1950 in Brazil.
· This is Uruguay's 14th appearance at the World Cup, the fewest by a team that has won the trophy.
· Since winning their second World Cup trophy in 1950, Uruguay's best performance at the tournament is finishing fourth in 1954, 1970 and 2010.
· Uruguay progressed from the (first) group stage in 10 of their 13 World Cup appearances. The three exceptions were 1962, 1974 and 2002.
· Uruguay are one of only four teams to have reached the knockout phase in each of the last three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), alongside Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
· In the last 50 years, Uruguay have progressed from three knockout rounds at the World Cup. Those three successes were against their Group H opponents in Qatar: 2-1 versus Korea Republic in the 2010 round of last 16, on penalties versus Ghana in the 2010 quarter-finals and 2-1 versus Portugal in the 2018 round of last 16.
· Uruguay's record in World Cup opening games is W6-D4-L3. Their 1-0 win against Egypt in Yekaterinburg in 2018 (89th-minute goal by José María Giménez) was their first victory in their opening match of a World Cup since 1970.
· Uruguay qualified for the 2022 World Cup after finishing third in CONMEBOL qualifying, behind Brazil and Argentina. Only Bolivia's Marcelo Moreno (10) scored more goals in CONMEBOL qualifying than Luis Suárez (8). Diego Godín (17) was Uruguay's leading appearance maker in qualifying.
· Uruguay have won seven of their nine matches in 2022 (W7-D1-L1). The only defeat was a 1-0 friendly loss versus IR Iran in Sankt Pölten on 23 September.
· Uruguay kept seven clean sheets in their nine matches in 2022. The exceptions were a 4-1 home win versus Venezuela and the 1-0 friendly loss against Iran.
· Only Brazil (11) and Argentina (10) have received as many World Cup red cards as Uruguay (9).
· Fernando Muslera, Diego Godín, Martín Cáceres, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez can all play at a fourth World Cup. This would equal the Uruguay record, held by Rocha (1962, 1966, 1970, 1974).
· Muslera (16) is Uruguay's leading World Cup appearance maker, two ahead of Godín and Cavani (both 14).
· Luis Suárez (7) is one short of equalling Oscar Míguez (8) as Uruguay's leading World Cup goalscorer. Míguez netted five in 1950 and three in 1954.
· Suárez and Cavani hold the record of scoring for Uruguay at three World Cups. The pair have both netted at the tournaments in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
· Suárez enters this World Cup as a player of Nacional. He already scored World Cup goals as a player Ajax (2010), Liverpool (2014) and FC Barcelona (2018) and he can equal Miroslav Klose as player to have scored World Cup goals while under contract at four different clubs (1. FC Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, FC Bayern München and SS Lazio).
· Uruguay have five players in the current squad on at least 100 caps, including the national record of 159 by Diego Godín. Only Belgium (6) have more players that have reached 100 international appearances in their 2022 World Cup squad.
· José Luis Rodríguez is the only uncapped player in Uruguay's World Cup squad.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· This is Uruguay's 14th appearance at the World Cup, the fewest by a team that has won the trophy.
· Since winning their second World Cup trophy in 1950, Uruguay's best performance at the tournament is finishing fourth in 1954, 1970 and 2010.
· Uruguay progressed from the (first) group stage in 10 of their 13 World Cup appearances. The three exceptions were 1962, 1974 and 2002.
· Uruguay are one of only four teams to have reached the knockout phase in each of the last three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), alongside Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.
· In the last 50 years, Uruguay have progressed from three knockout rounds at the World Cup. Those three successes were against their Group H opponents in Qatar: 2-1 versus Korea Republic in the 2010 round of last 16, on penalties versus Ghana in the 2010 quarter-finals and 2-1 versus Portugal in the 2018 round of last 16.
· Uruguay's record in World Cup opening games is W6-D4-L3. Their 1-0 win against Egypt in Yekaterinburg in 2018 (89th-minute goal by José María Giménez) was their first victory in their opening match of a World Cup since 1970.
· Uruguay qualified for the 2022 World Cup after finishing third in CONMEBOL qualifying, behind Brazil and Argentina. Only Bolivia's Marcelo Moreno (10) scored more goals in CONMEBOL qualifying than Luis Suárez (8). Diego Godín (17) was Uruguay's leading appearance maker in qualifying.
· Uruguay have won seven of their nine matches in 2022 (W7-D1-L1). The only defeat was a 1-0 friendly loss versus IR Iran in Sankt Pölten on 23 September.
· Uruguay kept seven clean sheets in their nine matches in 2022. The exceptions were a 4-1 home win versus Venezuela and the 1-0 friendly loss against Iran.
· Only Brazil (11) and Argentina (10) have received as many World Cup red cards as Uruguay (9).
· Fernando Muslera, Diego Godín, Martín Cáceres, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez can all play at a fourth World Cup. This would equal the Uruguay record, held by Rocha (1962, 1966, 1970, 1974).
· Muslera (16) is Uruguay's leading World Cup appearance maker, two ahead of Godín and Cavani (both 14).
· Luis Suárez (7) is one short of equalling Oscar Míguez (8) as Uruguay's leading World Cup goalscorer. Míguez netted five in 1950 and three in 1954.
· Suárez and Cavani hold the record of scoring for Uruguay at three World Cups. The pair have both netted at the tournaments in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
· Suárez enters this World Cup as a player of Nacional. He already scored World Cup goals as a player Ajax (2010), Liverpool (2014) and FC Barcelona (2018) and he can equal Miroslav Klose as player to have scored World Cup goals while under contract at four different clubs (1. FC Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, FC Bayern München and SS Lazio).
· Uruguay have five players in the current squad on at least 100 caps, including the national record of 159 by Diego Godín. Only Belgium (6) have more players that have reached 100 international appearances in their 2022 World Cup squad.
· José Luis Rodríguez is the only uncapped player in Uruguay's World Cup squad.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Head-to-Head: Uruguay v Korea Republic
· Korea Republic won one of their eight matches against Uruguay (W1-D1-L6). That sole victory was in the most recent meeting between the nations, a 2-1 friendly triumph in Seoul on 12 October 2018. Hwang Ui-jo (66') and Jung Woo-young (79') scored for the hosts, and Matías Vecino (72') netted for the visitors. Hwang's goal was the rebound after Fernando Muslera saved Son Heung-min's penalty.
· This is the third time Uruguay and Korea Republic have met at the World Cup, after 1990 and 2010. The Koreans have only played more World Cup games versus Belgium, Germany and Spain (all 3).
· Uruguay progressed to the knockout phase of the 1990 World Cup after Daniel Fonseca scored a 90th-minute goal to defeat Korea Republic 1-0 in Udine in their final group stage game. The Koreans had Yoon Deok-Yeo (71') sent off.
· In the 2010 World Cup round of last 16 in Gqeberha, Uruguay defeated Korea Republic 2-1 courtesy of a double by Luis Suárez (8', 80'). Lee Chung-Yong (68') netted for the Koreans.
· Aside from Korea Republic, Uruguay's only World Cup match against AFC opposition was a 1-0 win versus Saudi Arabia in Rostov-na-Donu in the 2018 group stage (goal by Luis Suárez).
· Korea Republic are winless in all five World Cup games versus CONMEBOL opposition (W0-D1-L4), only avoiding defeat in a 0-0 draw against Bolivia in Foxborough in the 1994 group stage.
· Rodrigo Bentancur and Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), and Mathías Olivera and Kim Min-jae (Napoli) are club teammates.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· This is the third time Uruguay and Korea Republic have met at the World Cup, after 1990 and 2010. The Koreans have only played more World Cup games versus Belgium, Germany and Spain (all 3).
· Uruguay progressed to the knockout phase of the 1990 World Cup after Daniel Fonseca scored a 90th-minute goal to defeat Korea Republic 1-0 in Udine in their final group stage game. The Koreans had Yoon Deok-Yeo (71') sent off.
· In the 2010 World Cup round of last 16 in Gqeberha, Uruguay defeated Korea Republic 2-1 courtesy of a double by Luis Suárez (8', 80'). Lee Chung-Yong (68') netted for the Koreans.
· Aside from Korea Republic, Uruguay's only World Cup match against AFC opposition was a 1-0 win versus Saudi Arabia in Rostov-na-Donu in the 2018 group stage (goal by Luis Suárez).
· Korea Republic are winless in all five World Cup games versus CONMEBOL opposition (W0-D1-L4), only avoiding defeat in a 0-0 draw against Bolivia in Foxborough in the 1994 group stage.
· Rodrigo Bentancur and Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur), and Mathías Olivera and Kim Min-jae (Napoli) are club teammates.
Courtesy of Gracenote
Watch Uruguay v Korea Republic live on SBS or watch the livestream via SBS On Demand!
Full-time | Thanks for following!
FT - Three points to Switzerland!
The Swiss have opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-switzerland-v-cameroon-group-g
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for Uruguay v Korea Republic shortly!
The Swiss have opened their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
You can watch the replay, mini match and highlights from this fixture via our dedicated match hub, here: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/fifa-world-cup-2022-switzerland-v-cameroon-group-g
Thanks for following our live blog - we'll be back for Uruguay v Korea Republic shortly!
Switzerland take the lead through Embolo
48' - Embolo finishes Shaqiri cross to break the deadlock
Switzerland switch the ball to the right wing and Embolo finishes a low cross from Shaqiri for a crucial opening goal!
Switzerland switch the ball to the right wing and Embolo finishes a low cross from Shaqiri for a crucial opening goal!
Second half starts
46' - Cameroon begin second half
The African nation restart proceedings looking to build on their first-half exploits.
The African nation restart proceedings looking to build on their first-half exploits.
Half-time whistle blows
HT - The referee calls an end to the first half
The players depart the pitch after 45 end-to-end minutes of football in Al-Wakrah.
Both sides have had their chances, which sets up an exciting second half to come!
The players depart the pitch after 45 end-to-end minutes of football in Al-Wakrah.
Both sides have had their chances, which sets up an exciting second half to come!
First half under way
1' - Kick-off
We are underway with the start of the first half at Al Janoub Stadium.
We are underway with the start of the first half at Al Janoub Stadium.
Cameroon Stats
· Cameroon (13%) have the smallest chance of reaching the knockout phase at the 2022 World Cup out of all 32 teams.
· Cameroon are taking part in the World Cup for the eighth time. No other African nation has made more than six appearances at the World Cup (including 2022).
· Cameroon have made it past the group stage once in their previous seven World Cup appearances. They reached the quarter-finals in 1990, the first time an African nation had reached that stage at the tournament. Their achievement was later matched by Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
· Cameroon qualified for the World Cup by beating Algeria in the third round of CAF qualifying. They lost 1-0 at home in the first leg. In the second leg they were leading 1-0 after 90 minutes, before Algeria equalised in the 118th minute. A goal by Karl Toko Ekambi in minute 120+4 secured Cameroon qualification for the World Cup.
· Cameroon have won four of their 23 matches at the World Cup (W4-D7-L12). They won three matches at the 1990 World Cup but only one of their 15 World Cup matches since: 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in Saitama on 6 June 2002 (goal by Patrick Mboma).
· Cameroon lost each of their last seven World Cup matches following that 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002.
· Cameroon (7) can become the second nation to lose at least eight successive World Cup matches, after Mexico lost each of their first nine World Cup matches between 1930 and 1958.
· Cameroon have not scored more than one goal in 14 consecutive World Cup matches, since drawing 2-2 with Sweden in 1994. The only longer streak of matches without multiple goals scored in World Cup history is set by Uruguay, who failed to score more than one goal in 18 successive World Cup fixtures from 1970 to 2002.
· A total of 10 players have scored for Cameroon at the World Cup. Cameroon's only goal at the 2014 World Cup was netted by Joel Matip: in their 4-1 loss against hosts Brazil in Brasilia on 23 June 2014.
· Cameroon have failed to win any of their last four matches (W0-D2-L2), including their last pre-tournament friendly against Panama on 18 November: 1-1 in Abu Dhabi.
· Manager Rigobert Song (137 caps) is Cameroon's all-time leading appearances maker. Song played for Cameroon at four World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010), a joint-record alongside Samuel Eto'o.
· Song (1994, 1998) and Zinédine Zidane (1998, 2006) are the only players to have received multiple red cards at the World Cup.
· Song is the first person from Cameroon to manage The Indomitable Lions at the World Cup. Their previous coaches at the World Cup were from France (four times), Germany (twice) and the Soviet Union (once).
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Cameroon are taking part in the World Cup for the eighth time. No other African nation has made more than six appearances at the World Cup (including 2022).
· Cameroon have made it past the group stage once in their previous seven World Cup appearances. They reached the quarter-finals in 1990, the first time an African nation had reached that stage at the tournament. Their achievement was later matched by Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010).
· Cameroon qualified for the World Cup by beating Algeria in the third round of CAF qualifying. They lost 1-0 at home in the first leg. In the second leg they were leading 1-0 after 90 minutes, before Algeria equalised in the 118th minute. A goal by Karl Toko Ekambi in minute 120+4 secured Cameroon qualification for the World Cup.
· Cameroon have won four of their 23 matches at the World Cup (W4-D7-L12). They won three matches at the 1990 World Cup but only one of their 15 World Cup matches since: 1-0 against Saudi Arabia in Saitama on 6 June 2002 (goal by Patrick Mboma).
· Cameroon lost each of their last seven World Cup matches following that 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002.
· Cameroon (7) can become the second nation to lose at least eight successive World Cup matches, after Mexico lost each of their first nine World Cup matches between 1930 and 1958.
· Cameroon have not scored more than one goal in 14 consecutive World Cup matches, since drawing 2-2 with Sweden in 1994. The only longer streak of matches without multiple goals scored in World Cup history is set by Uruguay, who failed to score more than one goal in 18 successive World Cup fixtures from 1970 to 2002.
· A total of 10 players have scored for Cameroon at the World Cup. Cameroon's only goal at the 2014 World Cup was netted by Joel Matip: in their 4-1 loss against hosts Brazil in Brasilia on 23 June 2014.
· Cameroon have failed to win any of their last four matches (W0-D2-L2), including their last pre-tournament friendly against Panama on 18 November: 1-1 in Abu Dhabi.
· Manager Rigobert Song (137 caps) is Cameroon's all-time leading appearances maker. Song played for Cameroon at four World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010), a joint-record alongside Samuel Eto'o.
· Song (1994, 1998) and Zinédine Zidane (1998, 2006) are the only players to have received multiple red cards at the World Cup.
· Song is the first person from Cameroon to manage The Indomitable Lions at the World Cup. Their previous coaches at the World Cup were from France (four times), Germany (twice) and the Soviet Union (once).
Courtesy of Gracenote
Switzerland Stats
· Switzerland have qualified for their 12th World Cup and for the fifth time in succession.
· Switzerland's best World Cup result is reaching the quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954 (as hosts).
· Switzerland reached the knockout phase in seven of their 11 World Cup appearances, including four of their last five. Switzerland were eliminated in the group phase in 1950, 1962, 1966 and 2010.
· Switzerland have a 54% chance of reaching the knockout phase. Brazil (88%) are the favourites in this group, followed by Switzerland (54%), Serbia (46%) and Cameroon (13%).
· Switzerland have not lost their opening match of a World Cup since 1966 (5-0 against eventual runners-up West Germany). The Nati remained unbeaten in their opener in their five World Cup appearances since (D-D-W-W-D, 1994-2018).
· Switzerland are the only country to defeat the eventual world champions in their opening fixture of a World Cup. In 2010 they beat Spain 1-0 in Durban thanks to a goal by Gelson Fernandes (cousin of Edimilson Fernandes).
· Switzerland are the only country to have kept a clean sheet in all of their matches in a single World Cup. They went 390 minutes without conceding in 2006, before being knocked out by Ukraine on penalties in the round of last 16.
· Switzerland qualified for the 2022 World Cup by winning their group ahead of Italy without losing (W5-D3-L0). Breel Embolo (3) and Steven Zuber (2) were the only players to score multiple goals for the Swiss in the 2022 qualification.
· Switzerland have a W3-D1-L5 record in 2022, including losing their final pre-tournament friendly: 2-0 to Ghana in Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates on 17 November. The last time Switzerland lost at least six matches in a calendar year was in 1996 (6).
· Manager Murat Yakin played 49 international matches for Switzerland between September 1994 and October 2004, but Switzerland did not take part in a World Cup in this period.
· Murat Yakin's younger brother Hakin Yakin - also one on his assistant coaches - played five matches for Switzerland at the World Cup (2006-2010).
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Switzerland's best World Cup result is reaching the quarter-finals in 1934, 1938 and 1954 (as hosts).
· Switzerland reached the knockout phase in seven of their 11 World Cup appearances, including four of their last five. Switzerland were eliminated in the group phase in 1950, 1962, 1966 and 2010.
· Switzerland have a 54% chance of reaching the knockout phase. Brazil (88%) are the favourites in this group, followed by Switzerland (54%), Serbia (46%) and Cameroon (13%).
· Switzerland have not lost their opening match of a World Cup since 1966 (5-0 against eventual runners-up West Germany). The Nati remained unbeaten in their opener in their five World Cup appearances since (D-D-W-W-D, 1994-2018).
· Switzerland are the only country to defeat the eventual world champions in their opening fixture of a World Cup. In 2010 they beat Spain 1-0 in Durban thanks to a goal by Gelson Fernandes (cousin of Edimilson Fernandes).
· Switzerland are the only country to have kept a clean sheet in all of their matches in a single World Cup. They went 390 minutes without conceding in 2006, before being knocked out by Ukraine on penalties in the round of last 16.
· Switzerland qualified for the 2022 World Cup by winning their group ahead of Italy without losing (W5-D3-L0). Breel Embolo (3) and Steven Zuber (2) were the only players to score multiple goals for the Swiss in the 2022 qualification.
· Switzerland have a W3-D1-L5 record in 2022, including losing their final pre-tournament friendly: 2-0 to Ghana in Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates on 17 November. The last time Switzerland lost at least six matches in a calendar year was in 1996 (6).
· Manager Murat Yakin played 49 international matches for Switzerland between September 1994 and October 2004, but Switzerland did not take part in a World Cup in this period.
· Murat Yakin's younger brother Hakin Yakin - also one on his assistant coaches - played five matches for Switzerland at the World Cup (2006-2010).
Courtesy of Gracenote
Head-to-Head
· This is the first international fixture between Switzerland and Cameroon.
· Switzerland have won their only encounter with CAF opposition at the World Cup, a 2-0 group phase win against Togo in Dortmund in 2006.
· Switzerland have a W6-D3-L6 record against CAF opposition. Their final match prior to this World Cup was a 2-0 friendly defeat against Ghana in Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates on 17 November.
· Cameroon have won one of their 14 World Cup matches against UEFA teams (W1-D5-L8), a 2-1 victory against Romania at the 1990 World Cup. Roger Milla (38 years old at the time) scored the first two of his World Cup record five goals as a substitute.
· Cameroon's biggest World Cup defeat came against UEFA opposition: a 6-1 group stage loss against Russia on 28 June 1994, In that match Russia's Oleg Salenko became the first and, so far, only player to score five goals in a World Cup match.
· Christian Fassnacht/Fabian Rieder and Jean-Pierre Nsame (BSC Young Boys) could be club teammates in opposition when Switzerland face Cameroon.
Courtesy of Gracenote
· Switzerland have won their only encounter with CAF opposition at the World Cup, a 2-0 group phase win against Togo in Dortmund in 2006.
· Switzerland have a W6-D3-L6 record against CAF opposition. Their final match prior to this World Cup was a 2-0 friendly defeat against Ghana in Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates on 17 November.
· Cameroon have won one of their 14 World Cup matches against UEFA teams (W1-D5-L8), a 2-1 victory against Romania at the 1990 World Cup. Roger Milla (38 years old at the time) scored the first two of his World Cup record five goals as a substitute.
· Cameroon's biggest World Cup defeat came against UEFA opposition: a 6-1 group stage loss against Russia on 28 June 1994, In that match Russia's Oleg Salenko became the first and, so far, only player to score five goals in a World Cup match.
· Christian Fassnacht/Fabian Rieder and Jean-Pierre Nsame (BSC Young Boys) could be club teammates in opposition when Switzerland face Cameroon.
Courtesy of Gracenote
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