Cameroon defeated a Brazil side resting a host of regulars 1-0, but their World Cup campaign still ended after an entertaining encounter at Lusail Stadium.
Vincent Aboubakar header the winner in stoppage time but his joy immediately turned to disappointment as he was given a second yellow card for taking his shirt off.
Cameroon had acquitted themselves well throughout as Bryan Mbuemo brought an outstanding save from Manchester City’s Ederson, deputising for Liverpool keeper Alisson, but Switzerland’s victory over Serbia ended the African team’s chances of reaching the last 16.
With his side having already qualified after their first two games, Brazil coach Tite made 10 changes and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli took the chance to impress with a fine performance in which he was thwarted on several occasions by Cameroon keeper Devis Epassy.
The pre-tournament favourites finished top of Group G despite the loss and now meet South Korea in the knockout phase after their dramatic late win against Portugal saw them edge out Uruguay, who beat Ghana, on goals scored.
Switzerland 3, Serbia 2
Switzerland sealed their place in the World Cup last 16 following an entertaining five-goal victory over Serbia to round off the group stage.
Switzerland, who knew a draw would be enough to qualify, took an early lead through former Stoke and Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri.
Serbia turned it around in the first half, going 2-1 up with goals from Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic and centre-forward partner Dusan Vlahovic – and they would have gone through as things stood.
The entertainment did not stop there though, as Switzerland’s Breel Embolo equalised on the stroke of half-time when he poked in from close range.
With Serbia needing to win, the second half promised further twists but it was Switzerland who struck next – Embolo coolly flicking it on for Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler to thump a half-volley into the net and make it 3-2 in their favour.
Uruguay 2, Ghana 0
Uruguay beat Ghana but went out of the World Cup on goals scored as they finished third behind South Korea in Group H, despite Luiz Suarez’s heroics.
Suarez played a major role in both of Uruguay’s goals, and the 35-year-old was in tears after the final whistle, following what may have been his last international.
Both goals were scored by Giorgio de Arrascaeta – the first a close-range header, the second a sublime volley.
Uruguay’s players reacted furiously at full-time, confronting the referee and appearing to manhandle an assistant after they failed to award a penalty to Darwin Nunez after a coming together with Alidu Seidu.
In Group H’s other game, South Korea’s 2-1 victory over group winners Portugal was enough to take them through in second place.
Uruguay and South Korea both ended with a zero goal difference, but South Korea scored four goals in their three games, while Uruguay netted twice.
South Korea 2, Portugal 1
Hwang Hee-chan gave South Korea a sensational injury-time victory over Portugal that meant they beat Uruguay to a World Cup last-16 place on goals scored.
Hwang ran onto Son Heung-min’s pass in the 91st minute to round off a rapid break and start wild celebrations from his side’s fans in the stands.
South Korea had needed to win to stand any chance of joining Portugal in the knockout stage, but even following the final whistle, their progress was not secured.
On the pitch and in the stands, players and supporters watched the final moments of Uruguay’s game with Ghana, knowing another goal for the South American side would send them out.
When that 2-0 win was confirmed, a huge roar went around Education City Stadium, and South Korea were able to start the party for real.
Any hope of a happy ending for South Korea had seemed unlikely when they fell behind after only five minutes, with Portugal scoring with their first meaningful attack.
Diogo Dalot surged into the box from the right and from his cutback, Ricardo Horta was in the right place to sweep a first-time shot past Kim Seung-gyu and mark his World Cup debut with a goal.
That made South Korea’s task even harder but falling behind failed to silence their thousands of noisy fans and their team soon responded.
The side led by former Portugal player and coach Paulo Bento thought they had replied instantly when Kim Jin-su turned home the rebound after Diogo Costa saved Cho Gue-sung’s flicked header. But the celebrations were cut short by a flag for offside.
An equaliser was not long in coming, however, and it followed another cross. This time a corner wasn’t cleared and the ball hit Cristiano Ronaldo’s back and rolled into the path of Kim Young-gwon, who could hardly miss from close range. (BBC)