Embolo fires Switzerland to a winning start against Cameroon

Cameroon-born forward Breel Embolo was Switzerland's match-winner in a largely uninspiring contest against the Indomitable Lions in World Cup Group G.

Embolo’s close-range finish proved the difference, and while his celebration was understandably muted, he was mobbed by his ecstatic team-mates for scoring what could be a vital goal with tough tests against Brazil and Serbia to come.

Cameroon had the better of the first half but it was ultimately an eighth successive World Cup finals loss for Rigobert Song’s team.

They now face an uphill struggle to reach the knockout phase, with this team looking a pale imitation of the brutal but brilliant side which broke new ground for Africa as quarter-finalists at Italia 90.

The game got off to a cagey start, with Cameroon the first to threaten in the 10th minute as Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo burst clear onto a through-ball.

His shot was parried away by Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, and Karl Toko Ekambi blasted the rebound over the bar.

The Africans were in again four minutes later as Switzerland’s Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji had his pocket picked by Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting.

The Cameroon captain, now with Bayern Munich and formerly of Stoke, darted forward but failed to make a clean connection on his shot and Sommer was able to keep it out.

Martin Hongla had a shot pushed wide for a corner after good approach work between Mbeumo and Choupo-Moting, and Switzerland right-back Silvan Widmer made a vital interception to cut out Collins Fai’s low cross from the right with Toko Ekambi lurking.

Embolo bore down on goal in the European side’s best opening with six minutes of the half to go, but a well-timed challenge by Jean-Charles Castelletto stopped him.

Akanji rose high to