Brazil vs Cameroon, World Cup Highlights: Hosts Win 4-1 to Reach Last 16

Goals from Neymar (2), Fred and Fernandinho helped Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1. Catch all the highlights here. (Matchcentre)

03.25 (IST): Full-time! Brazil beat Cameroon 4-1 to reach the last 16 as toppers of Group A. A brace from Neymar and goals from Fred and Fernandinho sealed the deal for the hosts who did endure a few nervy moments in the game against the fiesty Cameroon side.

03.13 (IST): GOAL! Fernandinho makes it 4-1 for Brazil in the 84th minute. 

03.01 (IST): Meanwhile, Mexico have taken a 1-0 lead vs Croatia with Marquez scoring in the 72nd minute.

03.00 (IST): Brazil's two-goal hero Neymar has been taken off. Willian is on now in the 71st minute.

02.52 (IST): Second change for Brazil as Ramires is on for Hulk. 63 minutes gone, Brazil lead 3-1.

02.50 (IST): The two-goal lead has given Brazil much-needed confidence in the middle as Cameroon continue to chase with a string of long balls and a few crunching tackles. 61 minutes played, 3-1 to Brazil.

Brazil celebrate after scoring vs Cameroon in FIFA World Cup © AP

02.39 (IST): GOAL! Brazil's No.9 Fred has opened his world cup account to put the hosts 3-1 up in the 49th minute!

02.34 (IST): Second half is underway. Brazil bring on Fernandinho for Paulinho.

02.15 (IST): Meanwhile, Mexico and Croatia have played out a goal-less first half.

Neymar celebrates after scoring against Cameroon © AP

02.05 (IST): GOAL! It's Neymar again! He has put Brazil ahead in the 35th minute. They can breathe a bit easily now.

02.01 (IST): For all their flair and attacking intent, Brazil have looked a touch nervy at the back. Cameroon looking far more confident at the moment!

01.54 (IST): Cameroon have pulled one back! Matip scores to draw level in the 26th minute! What a game this is turning out to be!

01.45 (IST): GOAL! What a splendidly calm conversion from Neymar! Gustavo put in a low cross from the left flank and Neymar masterly guided it into the net. Brazil lead 1-0 in 17th minute.

01.39 (IST): Against the run of play, Cameroon earn a corner kick in the 10th minute but cannot do much with it as Brazil thwart their attempt on goal.

01.33 (IST): What a start for Brazil this! They're attacking in numbers! Three menacing attempts on goal in only the third minute. Cameroon have a long day at work!

01.31 (IST): Brazil earn a free-kick right outside the box in the first minute!

01.08 (IST): Hosts Brazil take on Cameroon in their bid to claim a spot in last 16. As it stands, there are three teams vying for the top two spots in Group A: Brazil, Mexico and Croatia. If Brazil lose to Cameroon and the Mexico vs Croatia game ends in a draw, then Brazil will be knocked out due to an inferior goal difference.

Neymar celebrates after scoring in FIFA World Cup © AFP

Brazil vs Cameroon: Preview

Stuttering Brazil will look to clinch their berth in the last 16 of the World Cup as they host already-eliminated Cameroon in their final Group A match at the National Stadium in the capital Brasilia on Monday. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side has beaten Croatia and drawn with Mexico in their two games to date, struggling to convince in either match, but both the coach and his players have claimed in recent days that the World Cup hosts are "evolving" as the tournament goes along.

Brazil head into their final group game-- their 100th at the World Cup -- still not certain of a place in the knockout rounds, but goalkeeper Julio Cesar insisted during the week that the quality of opposition they have come up against so far has helped the Selecao. "This is a tough group, but that's great for us. We prefer to play against these sides and face these difficulties because it gets you focusing right from the start, which is important in short-term competitions," he said.

Brazil chase a spot in the last 16 in FIFA World Cup © AP

Pressure looms in do-or-die situation

The battle to avoid joining the likes of Spain and England on the World Cup scrapheap begins in earnest on Monday as the final round of first phase fixtures kicks off with Brazil bidding to book their place in the last 16.

The most entertaining World Cup in years has made a mockery of pre-tournament predictions, with holders Spain condemned to an early flight home after only two matches and England, perhaps less surprisingly, following close behind.

The identity of the remaining teams joining them in the departure lounge will be decided over the next four days as the round-robin stage of the tournament reaches its climax.

Monday's action will see Brazil aim to wrap up qualification for the last 16, where victory over an already-eliminated Cameroon in Brasilia will clinch first place in Group A.

© AFP

Cameroon without Samuel Eto'o in final group stage game

Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o will not start against Brazil, further hampering the African team's chances of upsetting the hosts in their World Cup match on Monday.

Cameroon coach Volker Finke said Sunday that Eto'o has not recovered from a knee injury that also kept him out of a 4-0 defeat against Croatia that ensured the Africans' early exit from the tournament.

Finke says Cameroon players want to leave the World Cup with their "heads high" after a dismal run that also saw them lose 1-0 to Mexico.