Brazil advances despite losing to Cameroon. Its two earlier victories were sufficient for it to win the group because of a better goal difference than Switzerland, which earned the group’s second qualifying place by beating Serbia. Cameroon’s victory was not enough for it to advance, and Serbia was eliminated.
The chaos that governed the first seven rounds of World Cup group-stage finales did not avoid Group G on Friday so much as churn around the periphery of its two matches, swooping in to cause mayhem in torrents and spurts before leaving as quickly as it arrived.
As Brazil’s reserves clashed with Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland played a game that included a paroxysm of goals and then a ruthless barren stretch taunted both teams.