Cameroon go down fighting against Australia in FIFA Series

Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy saved a penalty but he could not stop Jordan Bos from scoring what turned out to be the winner for Australia in their 1-0 FIFA Series defeat at Sydney Olympic Stadium on Friday.

The first chance of the game fell to the Indomitable Lions. A swinging cross from Oliver Kamdem found Christian Kofane at the far post, but the striker hit his effort inches wide.

JORDY BOS GIVES US THE LEAD AGAINST CAMEROON! 💚💛

Right place, right time – what a finish! 👏

🇦🇺 1-0 🇨🇲#Socceroos #AUSvCMR pic.twitter.com/HciLArP1Lr

— CommBank Socceroos (@Socceroos) March 27, 2026

Australia responded when Jacob Italiano ran on to a nice ball from Martin Boyle and, and he controlled it with an audacious first touch that rounded his opponent but the right-back could not control it from there.

Cameroon had another opportunity

The Indomitable Lions started to replicate the defensive play of the Socceroos, chipping the ball around the defensive half. Kamdem delivered a cross into the middle of the box for Cameroon, but it was a great intercepting header by Connor Metcalfe, which was able to take the ball out of danger.

In the 15th minute, Cameroon had another opportunity to take the lead when Italiano gave away a free-kick after a foul on Emmanuel Moungam in the middle of the ground, however, the resultant kick was poor.

Cameroon managed two successive corners but none resulted into a goal. Danny Namaso delivered the second corner but Kofane’s header was saved by Mathew Ryan. In the 20th minute, the game was stopped after Moungam brought down Deni Juric just outside the box.

The game resumed after Juric was attended to by Australia medical staff. Cameroon continued to maintain possession, putting pressure on Australia even while playing away from home, and in a long-range shot, Kamdem’s effort was blocked, with Samuel Kotto picking up the rebound to shoot from distance, but it was also blocked.

Cameroon’s Danny Namaso was booked for a yellow card as both teams headed into the half-time break tied at 0-0. Australia had 51.7% of the ball with 86.0% passing accuracy, having only one shot on goal with none on target, while Cameroon had 48.3% of the possession with 81.7% passing accuracy, having six shots on goal and one on target.

Devis Epassy saved a penalty

At the start of the second half, Australia made two substitutions, with Juric and Boyle coming out for Awer Mabil and Nestory Irankunda. Shortly after, from an Italiano cross, McGree got a shot off, but sent the ball wide.

Alessandro Circat was the first Australia player to be booked after a clumsy challenge on Kofane. The Socceroos then made another change with Riley McGree taking his leave with Ajdin Hrustic replacing him.

Shortly before, the game was stopped for treatment to Arthur Avom, who was in pain, but he returned to the game. Algeria missed their best opportunity to score when they were awarded a penalty following a VAR review.

O’Neill received the pass and was brought down in the area by Oliver Kamdem, with the penalty awarded after VAR review. Hrustic took the penalty, shooting to the left corner, but Devis Epassy dived to claim the ball and save Cameroon from going down.

After the missed penalty, Jordan Bos pounced on a mistake by Cameroon to score from close range and ensure his side triumphed in the closely fought contest.

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