World Cup 2022: Knockout stage bracket set after Brazil, Switzerland advance in Group G

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The group stage is over, and the knockout stage of the World Cup is set after Brazil won Group G and Switzerland advanced as a runner-up with its 3-2 victory over Serbia.

One spot still needed to be clinched, as Group G's standings still needed to be finalized.

Having already qualified for the knockout stage, Brazil played loosely Friday, while the other three teams in Group G faced plenty of pressure.

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Switzerland's players celebrate their 3-2 win at the end of a World Cup Group G soccer match against Serbia at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. 

Switzerland's players celebrate their 3-2 win at the end of a World Cup Group G soccer match against Serbia at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.  (WHD Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Switzerland, Cameroon and Serbia would all be automatically eliminated with losses, but the Swiss had an advantage being the only team that could afford a draw. Cameroon, a heavy underdog against Brazil, would have had to win by two goals to knock out Switzerland. Cameroon was tied with Brazil 0-0 at the half.

The Switzerland-Serbia match was still a roller coaster, though. After the Swiss took an early 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, Serbia, needing a win and help to survive, tied it in the 26th and took the lead in the 35th. Switzerland, though, made it a 2-2 game just before halftime.

Switzerland's Ruben Vargas celebrates after his teammate Remo Freuler scored his side's third goal during a World Cup Group G soccer match against Serbia at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. 

Switzerland's Ruben Vargas celebrates after his teammate Remo Freuler scored his side's third goal during a World Cup Group G soccer match against Serbia at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.  (WHD Photo/Petr David Josek)

The Swiss found the back of the net in the 48th minute to take a 3-2 lead, making it an uphill climb for both Serbia and Cameroon that they wouldn’t be able to come back from.

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Things did get interesting late, though, as Cameroon scored in the 92nd minute, giving it a 1-0 lead. But it needed a lot of help from Serbia, which was down one, to even have a chance. Switzerland was able to keep Serbia off the scoreboard in the second half, clinching the second spot of the group and knocking out both teams playing at the other stadium.

Cameroon’s win was quite the upset itself, but it wasn’t enough.

Switzerland will face Portugal, the winner of Group H, Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, while Brazil will face the runner-up of Group H, South Korea, Monday at 2 p.m. ET.

Brazil's Gabriel Jesus, front, and Cameroon's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa fight for the ball during a World Cup Group G game at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. 

Brazil's Gabriel Jesus, front, and Cameroon's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa fight for the ball during a World Cup Group G game at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.  (WHD Photo/Moises Castillo)

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The knockout stage begins Saturday with the United States taking on the Netherlands at 10 a.m. ET.

Find the rest of the bracket here.


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