Embolo on target as Swiss defeat the Indomitable Lions

Cameroon-born Breel Embolo scored the only goal of the game as Switzerland's dominance of possession helped them see off the Indomitable Lions.

Action: Switzerland started the better of the two sides at the Al Janoub Stadium with Murat Yakin’s team enjoying much of the possession.

But the Swiss were prone to Cameroon’s counterattacks. The returning Yann Sommer in the Switzerland goal had to make saves to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting early in the game.

Perhaps the best save by Sommer in the first half came on the half-hour mark when the Borussia Mönchengladbach stopper got down low to stop Martin Hongla.

Switzerland’s attacks were focused down the wide areas. It’s how they opened the scoring just a few minutes into the second half.

The Swiss built up play neatly, switching from side to side before a low cross by Xherdan Shaqiri was steered into the net by Breel Embolo. The Cameroon-born forward, who moved to Switzerland as a boy, didn’t celebrate scoring against the nation of his birth.

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Substitute Haris Seferovic almost doubled Switzerland's lead late into stoppage time but was denied by a heroic block by Jean Castelletto to keep the score at 1-0.

Switzerland dominated possession through much of the second half, restricting Cameroon to few chances in the second period. Indeed, the Indomitable Lions looked leggy late on and were no longer able to create the kind of fast breaks they enjoyed in the first half.

Reaction: Swittzerland coach Murat Yakin: "We took the lead at the right time. We were dominant and had a lot of possession. We could have been a bit quicker and more precise in our finishing. But we have to be even more precise against Brazil."

Magic Moment: Breel Embolo’s goal against the nation of his birth seemed almost inevitable and was the culmination of the best move of the game. An emotional moment for the Monaco man. 

Man of the Match: Shaqiri, as he so often has been, was the heartbeat of the Swiss team. All of the attacking moves went through the former Liverpool playmaker.

xG: Switzerland (1.74) 1-0 (0.81) Cameroon

Stat of the Day: In their last six World Cups, Switzerland are unbeaten in each of their opening games (three wins, three draws).

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