Cameroon vs. Brazil: Vincent Aboubakar’s red card made an MLS ref feel sorry

With Friday’s result, Cameroon became the first African nation to defeat Brazil at a World Cup. They also snapped Brazil’s 17-game unbeaten streak in the group stage, plus earned Cameroon’s first World Cup victory since 2002 – back when legendary striker Samuel Eto’o scored against Saudi Arabia.

But it wasn’t enough to book a knockout round place in Qatar 2022; they finished third in Group G when combined with Switzerland’s 3-2 win over Serbia. Had that Switzerland-Serbia game ended in another result, Cameroon may have gone through on tiebreakers – making Aboubakar’s excitement more understandable.

For MLS purposes, that means Seattle Sounders FC defender Nouhou and Philadelphia Union defender Olivier Mbaizo have an early exit from the World Cup. Nouhou logged three 90-minute games for Cameroon, helping shut out a second-choice Brazil team Friday. Mbaizo was an unused substitute in all three matches.