December 2, 2022 World Cup news and highlights

By Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt, Matt Meyer and Leighton Rowell, CNN

Updated 5:55 PM ET, Fri December 2, 2022
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4:42 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

The Round of 16 is set

From CNN's Jacob Lev

The Round of 16 is now set for the 2022 Qatar World Cup after Brazil and Switzerland booked their tickets on Friday.

Here's a recap of Friday's matches:

Considered one of the favorites to win the tournament, Brazil and its opponent Cameroon were held goalless until the second minute of stoppage time. Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scored the first and only goal of the game with a well-placed header.

Despite hanging on to defeat Brazil 1-0, Cameroon is going home due to finishing third in the group. The defeat is Brazil's first loss in the group stage since 1998 against Norway, snapping a 17-match unbeaten streak. Brazil will face South Korea in the next round on Monday.

Switzerland advanced after defeating Serbia 3-2 at Stadium 974. This is the third straight World Cup in which the Swiss men advanced to the Round of 16.

Tensions grew between both teams in the closing minutes after players were pushing and shoving each other. There were 11 total yellow cards given between both teams during the match. 

Switzerland will face superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Tuesday.  

Here are the teams who qualified for the Round of 16:

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Croatia
  • England
  • France
  • Japan
  • Morocco
  • The Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Senegal
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • USA

4:01 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

Switzerland is heading to knockout stage after winning a thriller against Serbia

Switzerland's Remo Freuler, rig celebrates scoring their third goal with Ricardo Rodriguez REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
Switzerland's Remo Freuler, rig celebrates scoring their third goal with Ricardo Rodriguez REUTERS/Suhaib Salem (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)

Switzerland needed all three of its goals to triumph over Serbia and advance to the knockout stage.

Serbia fought valiantly, scoring twice in the first half and keeping the time of possession and shot attempts roughly even throughout the contest. Ultimately, the team could not find a late equalizer and fell, 3-2.

The Swiss will be joined by Brazil from Group G in the Round of 16.

The loss eliminates Serbia from Qatar 2022.

4:32 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

Cameroon wins 1-0, but it's not enough to advance to the knockout stage

Cameroon's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting heads the ball.
Cameroon's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting heads the ball. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

Brazil and Cameroon stayed in a scoreless tie throughout the match — until Vincent Aboubakar delivered an opener for the Indomitable Lions during stoppage time.

Despite the incredible turn of events in the nick of time, it wasn't enough to change the outcome for Cameroon. The team did not pick up enough points to change Group G's standings to advance to the Round of 16

Friday’s match at the Lusail Stadium had been largely uneventful for 90 minutes with both sides failing to find a breakthrough. Brazil had already booked its place in the next round and rested many of its key players.

Cameroon knew it needed at least a win against the Brazilians but had failed to really trouble its opponent until a frantic stoppage time period.

Aboubakar’s goal may not have helped its side into the Round of 16 but it’s historical nonetheless – Brazil hadn’t lost a group stage match since 1998.

However, the striker was also shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration, meaning he was sent off the pitch before full-time.

Brazil will face South Korea in the next round on Monday.

This post has been updated with more details about the match.

4:02 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

Cameroon gets its first goal in stoppage time!

Cameroon scored a goal, thanks to Vincent Aboubakar after an assist from Ngom!

The Indomitable Lions lead Brazil 1-0.

Aboubakar took off his jersey, leading to a second yellow card, but that didn't stop him from holding his shirt up to cheering fans. That second yellow card sent him off the field.

What a way to go out!

3:18 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

GOAL! Switzerland scores again. It's 3-2

Switzerland's Remo Freuler celebrates in front of Switzerland supporters after scoring his team's third goal.
Switzerland's Remo Freuler celebrates in front of Switzerland supporters after scoring his team's third goal. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The second half started much like the first half ended – with plenty of action.

It's 3-2 after Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler scored a brilliant goal in the 48th minute. It was a team goal, set up by a flick pass from Reuben Vargas.

The boisterous Serbian fans have fallen a bit quieter as they nervously watch their team in need of two goals to advance in the tournament.

3:07 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

Cameroon's quest for a win against Brazil resumes in the second half

Cameroon's Collins Fai, left, controls the ball past Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli.
Cameroon's Collins Fai, left, controls the ball past Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)

While action can be expected from both sides in this match, it is absolute table stakes for Cameroon to bring more 🔥 to their game, overcome the Seleção defense, and score some goals if the team wants to stay in contention for a spot in the knockouts.

Brazil has kept the ball and made more attempts on Cameroon's goal, but have not yet scored an opener.

At the moment, things stand at 0-0 for both teams.

3:05 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

Serbia vs Switzerland is back underway

Serbia's Dusan Tadic in action with Switzerland's Silvan Widmer on Friday.
Serbia's Dusan Tadic in action with Switzerland's Silvan Widmer on Friday. (Suhaib Salem/Reuters)

The teams are back on the pitch for the second half at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar.

What's in store? More goals, quite possibly, based on what we saw in the furious first 45 minutes of play.

While Switzerland can potentially advance to the knockout stage even with a draw, it is hoping for an outright win, which would guarantee a trip to the Round of 16.

Serbia is under even greater pressure. It must win for any shot at moving on.

2:55 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

It's halftime in the action-packed match between Switzerland and Serbia

Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, top, and Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri challenge for the ball.
Serbia's Strahinja Pavlovic, top, and Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri challenge for the ball. (Ricardo Mazalan/AP)

An exciting first half has drawn to a close with Serbia and Switzerland deadlocked at 2-2.

Serbian Dušan Vlahović, a star striker who's playing injured, scored his first World Cup goal to help his side pull ahead 2-1. But Switzerland was quick to answer shortly before halftime.

It's been a truly even matchup — the two sides have split time of possession roughly equally. Serbia has three shots on goal to Switzerland's five.

Neither side can afford to lose this match if they want to move on to the knockout stage.

A thrilling second half is likely in store.

2:51 p.m. ET, December 2, 2022

A scoreless first half between Brazil and Cameroon comes to an end

Brazil and Cameroon players vie for the ball.
Brazil and Cameroon players vie for the ball. (Amanda Perobelli/Reuters)

A very uneventful first half between Brazil and Cameroon has ended. At halftime, both teams are in a scoreless tie.

Brazil might not need a goal, but Cameroon certainly does if it want to remain in contention for a berth in the Round of 16. So far, though, the Indomitable Lions have only amassed three yellow cards against Brazil's one.

The Seleção have dominated ball possession and made 10 attempts at Cameroon's goal but frustratingly, they have failed to capitalize on each opportunity.

Let's hope that at least one team returns in the second half with some fireworks to display.