Switzerland booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria at BC Place, Vancouver, on Thursday, ending an 88-
Switzerland booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Algeria at BC Place, Vancouver, on Thursday, ending an 88-year wait for a knockout-stage win at the tournament.
Breel Embolo broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, turning home a low cross from Johan Manzambi, who had driven forward from the left and carved out the opening with a mazy run into the box before pulling the ball back for his teammate to finish from close range.
Algeria had started brightly and looked the more threatening side in the opening stages, but they could not convert their early promise into a breakthrough, with veteran captain Riyad Mahrez kept quiet by the Swiss defence throughout.
Switzerland doubled their advantage almost immediately after the restart. Just 48 seconds into the second half, a poor clearance from Rafik Belghali fell straight to Dan Ndoye, who drilled a low finish beyond goalkeeper Luca Zidane to make it 2-0 and effectively settle the contest.
With the game seemingly won, Murat Yakin’s side shifted into a more conservative five-man midfield shape, content to absorb pressure and deny Algeria space in behind.
Algeria’s best opportunity of the night came in first-half stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a shot wide, while Mahrez also fired straight at a defender in a rare sight of goal after the break.
Switzerland almost added a third late on, but substitute Fabian Rieder somehow contrived to miss an open goal, scuffing his effort into the grateful arms of Zidane.
It proved inconsequential as the Swiss held firm to seal passage into the round of 16.
The result extends Algeria’s long wait for a maiden World Cup knockout win, a drought stretching back to their tournament debut in 1982.
For Switzerland, it marks a first knockout-stage triumph since 1938, ending a run of seven consecutive knockout exits at the finals.
Switzerland will now await the winner of the Colombia-Ghana tie, with the last-16 clash also scheduled to be played in Vancouver.
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