It was quite as Friday night for Newcastle United duo Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes!
Bruno was (somehow) named on the bench once again for Brazil, but did come on for the final 35 minutes of their clash with Cameroon, while Fabian Schar was handed his first start of the tournament in Switzerland’s Group G decider against Serbia.
His Swiss side took an early lead, but Shaqiri’s opener was quickly cancelled out by quickfire goals from former Mag Aleksandar Mitrovic and – according to reports at the time – ex-Toon target Dusan Vlahovic.
Breel Embolo equalised before the break and it was 3-2 Switzerland just three minutes into the second half, as Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler scored to send Schar’s side on the brink of the last 16.
However, over at the Lusail Stadium, Cameroon’s Vincent Aboubakar struck in the 92nd minute to give the Group G underdogs a shock 1-0 lead over Brazil and, with that, an outside chance of qualification should Serbia find an equaliser against the Swiss.
Thankfully for Schar, his side held on for a 3-2 win, seeing them join Bruno’s Brazil (the group winners) in the knockout stages at Aleksandar Mitrovic’s expense.
The results on Friday night mean all SIX Newcastle players competing in Qatar have reached the last 16, but Brazil fans on Twitter were less than impressed by Guimaraes’ 35-minute cameo based on the post-match reaction on social media.
One journalist claimed the Newcastle midfielder must’ve had a bet on Cameroon to win after a series of missed chances, while other Samba supporters were even questioning why the 25-year-old was selected by Tite – baffling comments when you consider he’s been outshining the likes of Fred, Fabinho and Paqueta in the Premier League this season!
He may have had a stinker in front of goal, but some Brazil fans are taking their anger out on the former Lyon star; who offered far more than Fred in what was generally a positive cameo.
So, a frustrating night for Bruno and a brilliant one for Schar, who not only earned a recall but helped his country progress against tough opponents in the process!
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So, out of interest Olly why do you think the Brazil fans are so critical of him if as you say he has played so well?
Not just the tiniest bit of NUFC bias maybe?
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
They’ve been critical because he missed two big chances and went on to lose (their first game of the tournament) in the 92nd minute.
His general play was good.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)