Gambia 2-3 Cameroon: Indomitable Lions rally to win five-goal thriller and advance to the Round of 16

Cameroon rallied with two late goals to defeat Gambia 3-2 in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations finals match and advance from Group C despite being minutes away from elimination.

Defender Christopher Wooh scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner, putting the Indomitable Lions second in the group behind Senegal. They finished ahead of Guinea in terms of goals scored, while Gambia was eliminated after suffering its third consecutive loss.

Cameroon had to claw their way back in a game of relentless attack and end-to-end action to keep their hopes alive after falling behind 2-1 with only five minutes remaining.

Wooh headed home a corner in a riveting fightback in the first minute of stoppage time, with all five goals coming in an action-packed second half.

Gambia dominated the first half despite being 80 places lower in the FIFA rankings than their much-touted opponents, but Cameroon responded strongly after the break, with Georges-Kevin Nkoudou rattling the crossbar in the 50th minute and then setting up the opening goal for Karl Toko Ekambi six minutes later.

Toko Ekambi, 31, was a member of Cameroon's Cup of Nations-winning team in 2017 and demonstrated his experience by getting his head on a long through ball.

But Gambia's sudden burst of attack had the Cameroon defence on edge, and it was no surprise when Ablie Jallow equalised in the 72nd minute with a clever volley as he ghosted late into the box.

Alieu Fadera could have put Gambia ahead shortly after, but his shot hit the outside of the post. However, they took the lead in the 85th minute through substitute Ebrima Colley, who hit a powerful shot after a clever one-two with Assan Ceesay.

Cameroon needed to score twice in the final minutes and were level when James Gomez steered the ball into his own net with his outstretched leg while attempting to clear.

Wooh then scored the winner in a stunning finish to book a last-16 meeting with Nigeria in Abidjan on Saturday.

Cameroon dropped Andre Onana after a 3-1 loss to Senegal in their previous match, reintroducing Fabrice Ondoa in goal, and while he looked unsure at first, he made several key saves to keep Gambia at bay.

SportsLigue