{"id":1259368,"date":"2022-11-28T20:35:27","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T20:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/11\/28\/aboubakar-stunner-and-ghana-joy-light-up-wild\/"},"modified":"2022-11-28T20:35:27","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T20:35:27","slug":"aboubakar-stunner-and-ghana-joy-light-up-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/11\/28\/aboubakar-stunner-and-ghana-joy-light-up-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"Aboubakar stunner and Ghana joy light up ‘wild’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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AL RAYYAN, QATAR – NOVEMBER 28: Mohammed Salisu of Ghana celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen\/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Two games, 11 goals and four hours of scintillating tournament football. If only the World Cup was around to brighten up every Monday.<\/p>\n

First, Cameroon fought from 3-1 down to draw with Serbia in a\u00a0six-goal thriller\u00a0in Group G.<\/p>\n

And hot on the heels of that morning treat (at least for UK viewers), Ghana went one better than their African rivals by\u00a0beating South Korea 3-2\u00a0in a breathless Group H encounter.<\/p>\n

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Two matches that showcased the best of the World Cup. BBC Sport looks at how the last day of early kick-offs in Qatar threw up a couple of thrillers.<\/p>\n

Cameroon comeback kicks things off<\/p>\n

Having matches to watch just after breakfast over the past week has been a luxury. It\u2019s just a shame the early games have largely failed to deliver.<\/p>\n

While the first 10:00 GMT kick-off produced one of the all-time shocks \u2013 Saudi Arabia\u2019s comeback win over Argentina \u2013 the next five yielded only five goals.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, the tournament saved the best early game for last as Cameroon and Serbia played out a captivating, topsy-turvy draw at Al Janoub Stadium.<\/p>\n

The World Cup often serves up a classic when you least expect it and so it proved as two teams who failed to score in their opening game engaged in an enthralling spectacle.<\/p>\n

An hour in, Serbia were feeling pretty good about life.<\/p>\n

While they fell behind to Jean-Charles Castelletto\u2019s goal, Strahinja Pavlovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic had put Dragan Stojkovic\u2019s side firmly in control.<\/p>\n

Serbia looked menacing when they attacked in numbers. With their defence crumbling and with Brazil to come in the final game, Cameroon began to fear the worst.<\/p>\n

Then came the Vincent Aboubakar show.<\/p>\n

When the striker replaced Martin Hongla, two minutes after Mitrovic put Serbia 3-1 up, Cameroon were in dire need of inspiration.<\/p>\n

And boy did he answer the call.<\/p>\n

In the 63rd minute, Aboubakar latched on to Castelletto\u2019s ball over the top of the Serbia defence. Bearing down on goal, the 30-year-old cut back to lose Nemanja Maksimovic before scooping the ball over keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic\u2019s 6ft 9in frame.<\/p>\n

Aboubakar\u2019s nonchalant finish may have been a result of him thinking he had strayed offside, but when the goal was given after a video assistant referee check, any disappointment made way for a beaming smile.<\/p>\n

Three minutes later, Aboubakar was at it again, sprinting clear of the Serbia back-line before picking out Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting for the equaliser, sparking wild celebrations among the Cameroon fans in the stands.<\/p>\n

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  • \u2018Absolutely staggering\u2019<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Serbia couldn\u2019t believe it. Neither could Pat Nevin, who was co-commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI never saw that coming \u2013 it is absolutely staggering,\u201d said the former Scotland winger.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThis World Cup is wild. A great contest between two different styles, I wish every game was like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Nevin got his wish as Ghana topped Cameroon\u2019s fightback by edging out South Korea in hugely dramatic fashion.<\/p>\n

    Trailing to Mohammed Salisu and Mohammed Kudus goals at half-time, South Korea clawed their way back through Cho Gue-sung\u2019s quickfire headed double.<\/p>\n

    But Ghana, who lost 3-2 to Portugal in their opener, bagged all three points thanks to Kudus\u2019 low drive and some frantic defending in a nerve-shredding finale.<\/p>\n

    READ ALSO<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To add further drama, South Korea boss Paulo Bento was sent off after the final whistle for confronting referee Anthony Taylor amid chaotic scenes that captured the stark contrast of Ghanaian joy and Korean heartache.<\/p>\n

    The Ghana players enjoyed a pre-match song as they arrived at the stadium on Monday. They probably won\u2019t stop singing now until they face Uruguay on Friday.<\/p>\n

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    Ghana\u2019s Tariq Lamptey consoles South Korea\u2019s Son Heung-min after the final whistle<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Speaking on BBC One before Ghana\u2019s win, former France defender Laura Georges said\u00a0Morocco\u2019s shock win over Belgium\u00a0on Sunday has inspired the African countries in Qatar.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI feel like the game from yesterday is giving so much energy and inspiration for the African teams,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

    \u201cEven the teams that are not expected to go far in the competition are saying \u2018we can make it if you go strong and go as a team\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

    This World Cup has already given us five goalless draws. Plenty of the matches so far have failed to catch fire.<\/p>\n

    But in the tussle for knockout places, the world\u2019s best are lighting up football\u2019s most glamorous stage.<\/p>\n

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