Football World Cup: Embolo’s emotional victory against homeland Cameroon

Breel Embolo looked overwhelmed. First goal in a football World Cup. And then against his home country. It seemed as if the Swiss national striker had no idea what to do with his emotions.

For the further course of the tournament, his goal to make it 1-0 (0-0) in the first game against Cameroon should give the Confederates and especially Embolo a good boost.

He was “extremely proud,” said the former Schalke and Gladbacher after Switzerland’s important opening win in the demanding Group G, in which record world champions Brazil and Serbia are still waiting. “After such a long time and so much talk” he fulfilled a dream with his first goal at a World Cup finals. He was also “proud of my family,” said the 25-year-old.

That’s probably why he was happy inside. Embolo was born in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé, but left the country with his mother when he was a child. He has also had a Swiss passport since the end of 2014, and in 2015 he made his debut in the senior Swiss national team. His twelfth international goal should now have been his most special.

A “special story” for Embolo

The jubilation of the professional from the French first division club AS Monaco over the decisive goal in the 48th minute seemed almost apologetic. Embolo accepted the congratulations of his colleagues after the final whistle rather reluctantly. Before leaving Al-Janub Stadium on Thursday, he wished Cameroon “all the best” for their next games in Qatar.

After all, Embolo describes himself as a big fan of the team. He was just as happy to have his roots in Cameroon as to be able to play for Switzerland, he emphasized before the game. Nevertheless, he had firmly planned a goal, in line with the nature of a striker.

“I’m pleased that he was able to score his goal. I hope that gives him confidence for the next few games. He needs that and we need him,” said Embolo’s team-mate Djibril Sow from Eintracht Frankfurt. It was a “special story” for Embolo, emphasized Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. “He did his job and we’re very happy about that,” said national coach Murat Yakin.

Even Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said: “I’m happy for him and I’m proud for him.” He was “something like his big brother,” said the Africans’ record international. “We’ve talked on the phone before. I just wanted to wish him luck. It’s all about fair play. We come from the same family, even if we play in different teams.”

Widmer: “It certainly wasn’t a perfect performance”

Embolo’s goal was extremely important for the ambitious Swiss. For a long time they had a lot of ball possession but hardly any brilliant ideas. Cameroon sometimes countered very dangerously. The first 20 minutes after the break were the best in the Swiss game. Embolo scored, Augsburg’s Ruben Vargas missed the 2-0. “That’s how we want to play,” commented midfielder Sow on this phase. “It certainly wasn’t a perfect performance, but one we can build on,” said Mainz’s Silvan Widmer, who played in the not always confident Swiss defence.

“We’re enjoying the moment,” said coach Yakin, who had called up the second-oldest starting XI in Swiss World Cup history. The first three points are retracted. He expects “a completely different game” against the much more attacking Brazilians on Monday, said the 48-year-old. The Swiss, of whom several top performers such as captain Granit Xhaka or ex-Bayern professional Xherdan Shaqiri are now 30 years or older and may be contesting their last World Cup, definitely want to get further than the last two rounds of the round of 16. The first step has been taken thanks to Embolo.